Young farmers and ranchers are cultivating a bright future for Texas agriculture.
This year’s Outstanding Young Farmer & Rancher (YF&R) contest highlighted many producers from across the state.
The competition recognizes the accomplishments of some of the state’s stop agricultural leaders between the ages of 18 and 35 and rewards them for their hard work, dedication and determination.
Winners were selected from each of TFB’s 13 districts. They include:
District 1: Jesse and Karri Wieners
Jesse and Karri grow wheat, grain sorghum, alfalfa, cotton, vegetables and wine grapes. They custom harvest and custom farm, as well as grow flowers for seed production in Carson County. The couple has four children.
District 2: Alton and Adrienne Synatschk
Alton grows corn, cotton, grain sorghum and wheat with his wife, Adrienne, in Lamb County. They raise cow-calf pairs and stockers. The couple also runs a custom spraying business. The Synatchks have four children.
District 3: James and Lindsay Mitchell
James and Lindsay grow wheat, cotton and corn, as well as commercial seed, in Archer County. Lindsay also partners on a dairy farm with her father. In addition, the couple has a cow-calf and stocker operation. The Mitchells have two children.
District 4: Cote and Ashley Sutton
Cote grows wheat and corn and runs a small cow-calf operation with his wife, Ashley, in Grayson County. They also manage a custom harvesting operation and have harvested wheat from Texas to Colorado. The couple has three children.
District 5: Patrick and Lacey Williams
Patrick and Lacey have a commercial hay operation in Smith County. By maximizing yield and nutritional content, the couple produces hay for equine and cattle. They also operate Spray and Fertilize LLC—a joint venture with their family.
District 6: Slayton and Abby Hoelscher
Slayton and Abby grow irrigated cotton, corn, wheat and peanuts in Tom Green County. Slayton started the operation from a small garden and greenhouse. They are now converting their farm from conventional tillage to minimal and no-till practices.
District 8: Travis and Kaylin Isbell
Travis raises commercial cattle and a smaller herd of dorper sheep with his wife, Kaylin, in Williamson County. They also grow Sudan and grass hay, as well as winter oats. Travis also manages two local ranches. The couple has two children.
District 9: Braden and Jordan McInnis
Braden and Jordan grow corn, wheat, cotton, soybeans, grain sorghum, oats and hay in Anderson County. They sell their corn directly to local poultry growers. The first generation farmers also raise Angus and Charolais cattle. State Finalist
District 10: Robin and Misty Giles
Robin and Misty raise registered Angus cattle, fine wool sheep, Angora goats and white-tailed deer in Kendall County. The couple manages the 130-year-old farm, ranch and agritourism operation with Robin’s parents. The couple has two kids.
District 11: Dillon and Kori Berglund
Dillon grows rice and corn in Wharton County with his wife Kori. They help develop habitat for migratory birds and use government programs to effectively shape the land they rent to enhance the drainage for the most efficient water usage.
District 12: Matt and Jessica Hanslik
Matt and Jessica have a commercial cow-calf operation and raise purebred Charolais cattle. They are also part owners of an all-natural fertilizer company, and they grow corn and hay. The couple has two children.
There were no entries for Districts 7 and 13.
For more information about the contest and other opportunities for young farmers and ranchers, visit www.texasfarmbureau.org/YFR.