Fringe Beneftis of YF&R & Farm Bureau.....

Okay, well, you do have to work at it to earn these things, but they are quite a prize!! Congrats to all the YF&R Competitors at National AFBF this year and Good Luck to all those Collegiate Discussion Meet Winners who will be competing in Orlando next month--We'll see you there!!!

Young Farmers and Ranchers Take Top Honors

ATLANTA, January 10, 2011 – Winners of the Young Farmers & Ranchers Achievement Award, Discussion Meet and Excellence in Agriculture competitions were announced today at the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 92nd Annual Meeting. Young farmers and ranchers from around the country competed for the awards by demonstrating knowledge of and achievement in agriculture, as well as commitment to promoting the agriculture industry.

Paul and Monica Minzenmayer of Texas won the Achievement Award. They are the winners of a 2011 Dodge Ram pickup truck, courtesy of Dodge Ram. The Minzenmayers also received paid registration to attend the 2011 AFBF YF&R Leadership Conference, Feb. 5-7, in Orlando, Fla.

Runners-up in the Achievement Award contest include Matt DeBlock of Illinois, Steven and Richelle Bach of Kentucky, Brent and Susan Leggett of North Carolina and Brian Flowers of Tennessee. The runners-up each received a Case IH Farmall tractor, courtesy of Case IH.
The Achievement Award recognizes young farmers and ranchers who have excelled in their farming or ranching operations and exhibited superior 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.
Colin Johnson of Iowa won the Discussion Meet. He will take home a 2011 Dodge Ram pickup, courtesy of Dodge, plus free registration to the 2011 AFBF YF&R Leadership Conference in February.

The three runners-up in the Discussion Meet are Daniel Martin of Mississippi, Charlee Doom of New York and Loni H. Rikard of South Carolina. Each runner-up received a $6,000 Savings Bond and a STIHL Farm Boss chainsaw, both courtesy of STIHL.
The Discussion Meet simulates a committee meeting in which active discussion and participation are expected. Participants are evaluated on their ability to exchange ideas and information on a predetermined topic.
Chris and Jennie Simms of Virginia won the Excellence in Agriculture Award. They received a 2011 Dodge Ram pickup, courtesy of Dodge, and free registration to the YF&R Leadership Conference.
The three runners-up in the Excellence in Agriculture competition are Brian and Dacia Brown of Illinois, Ken and Malissa Schentzel of Minnesota and Shawn and Vanessa Duren of Tennessee. Each runner up received a $6,000 Savings Bond and a STIHL Farm Boss chainsaw, courtesy of STIHL.
The Excellence in Agriculture Award recognizes young farmers and ranchers who do not derive the majority of their income from an agricultural operation, but who actively contribute and grow through their involvement in agriculture, their leadership ability and participation in Farm Bureau and other organizations.