Local young farmers, ranchers urged to apply for TFB contests
Limestone County Farm Bureau (CFB) leaders urge young farmers and ranchers in the area to showcase their unique and innovate operations through Texas Farm Bureau’s (TFB) annual contests.
TFB is currently accepting applications for the Outstanding Young Farmer & Rancher (OYF&R) and Excellence in Agriculture (EIA) contests.
Eligible applicants must be between the ages of 18 and 35 as of Jan. 31, 2021, and be current TFB members in good standing.
Applications are due online by Aug. 3.
“These contests are a great way to highlight the diversity of agriculture in our area,” Bill Ward, CFB president said. “Regardless of size and practices, young farmers and ranchers are excelling in and out of the field. These contests recognize and reward those efforts.”
The Outstanding YF&R Contest recognizes young farmers and ranchers who are actively engaged in farming or ranching.
One winner is chosen from each of TFB’s 13 districts. Of those, three finalists are selected after a second round of judging. The judges will then visit each of the three finalists’ farm or ranch to determine the overall winner.
This year’s state winner will receive the title to a ¾ ton diesel pickup, sponsored by Texas Farm Bureau Insurance Companies; a $5,000 cash award, sponsored by Farm Credit Bank of Texas; and expense-paid trips to both the TFB Annual Meeting and American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) Annual Convention.
Two runners-up will receive a $500 cash award, sponsored by Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company, and expense-paid trips to the TFB Annual Meeting.
New this year, all district winners receive a $1,000 cash award from Farm Bureau Bank.
The EIA Contest rewards members who are involved in agriculture but don’t make the majority of their income through production agriculture. Eligible applicants include farm store managers, crop consultants, agricultural educators, and those who are employed by an agricultural business or agency.
The state winner will receive a UTV, sponsored by Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company; a $5,000 cash award, sponsored by Farm Credit Bank of Texas, and expense-paid trips to both the TFB Annual Meeting and AFBF Annual Convention.
The two runners-up will receive a $1,000 cash award, sponsored by Farm Bureau Bank; a $500 cash award, sponsored by Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company, and an expensepaid trip to attend the TFB Annual Meeting.
“It takes small and large farms and ranches, as well as those businesses that support agriculture,” Ward said. “These contests highlight young people and their involvement in agriculture.” Applications, sample
Applications, sample questions, and instructions for the contests can be found online at https://texasfarmbureau.org/YFR.
For questions about the contests or other young farmer and rancher activities, email youngfarmers@txfb.org or call 254-399-5030.