By Julie Tomascik
Editor

Texas ranchers Kade and Morgan Hodges of Coke-Sterling County Farm Bureau took home the top honor at the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 106th convention.

They received the Achievement Award in the Young Farmer & Rancher contests at the national level this week in San Antonio.

The Achievement Award recognizes young farmers and ranchers who have excelled in their farming or ranching operations and exhibited strong leadership abilities. Participants are evaluated on a combination of their agricultural operation’s growth and financial progress, Farm Bureau leadership and leadership outside of Farm Bureau.

“I think this is one of the greatest honors we could have ever received, but the real award is our Farm Bureau family and Farm Bureau connections,” Morgan said. “We would not be where we are in our business or in our relationships without Farm Bureau.”

As the winner of the national contest, the couple received a $35,000 credit toward a new Ford vehicle, courtesy of Ford Motor Company; and registration to the 2025 Farm Bureau FUSION Conference in Colorado.

The Hodges raise sheep, goats and Angus-cross cattle in Sterling, Coke, Tom Green, Navarro and Grimes counties. They also own a feedlot and graze sheep on properties with solar panels.

Together, they are working to preserve their family’s agricultural legacies to pass down to their son, Weston.

They both serve on the Coke-Sterling County Farm Bureau board of directors and are actively involved in YF&R events and activities at the county, state and national level. Morgan also served as the vice chair of TFB’s Young Farmer & Rancher Advisory Committee in 2024.

“The people we’ve met through our Farm Bureau journey have been absolutely incredible and life-changing for us,” Kade said. “This award shows that Farm Bureau and Ford care about and support the future of agriculture.”

Click here to watch a video from the Hodges’ ranch.

Additional YF&R contestants from Texas
Jacob Spivey of Tyler County represented Texas in the Excellence in Agriculture competition and presented to a panel of judges. The contest recognizes young men and women who are involved in agriculture but do not earn their primary income directly from their farm or ranch enterprises.

Paden McDermid of Montgomery County represented Texas in the Discussion Meet contest. This competition is designed to simulate a committee meeting where discussion and active participation are expected from each contestant.

For more information about Texas Farm Bureau’s Young Farmer & Rancher Program, visit texasfarmbureau.org/YFR.