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Texas Agriculture Archive

November 21, 2003

Three impressive finalists emerged to compete for the 2003 Farm Bureau Excellence in Agriculture Award—July Danley of Stephenville, Chad Hobbs of Round Rock and Melissa Loerwald of Florence.

In its third year in Texas, the Farm Bureau Excellence in Agriculture Award is designed to recognize young farmers and ranchers who do not currently own their own operation, but are actively contributing and growing through their involvement in Farm Bureau and agriculture. Examples of eligible applicants would be farm store managers (feed, seed, fertilizer), ranch/farm managers or persons who are employed by an agricultural business.

"Participants are judged on their involvement in agriculture or agribusiness. Leadership ability, involvement and participation in Farm Bureau and other organizations—civic, service and community—are also a major factor considered in judging," said Si Cook, Texas Farm Bureau Organization Program director. "This is the second year there will be a national contest."

To be eligible, the applicant: 1) Must be a member of Texas Farm Bureau in good standing; 2) Can be either an individual or married couple; 3) Shall not have reached their 36th birthday before Jan. 1, 2004; and 4) May not derive their primary source of income from being an owner/operator of an agricultural operation.

Past or present members of the American Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmer & Rancher Committee and Farm Bureau employees or service agents are not eligible to compete.

"Also, individuals may compete in either the Outstanding Young Farmer and Rancher Contest, or Excellence in Agriculture Award, but not both," Cook said.

This year's entries faced a September deadline. All information contained in their entry form is strictly confidential and all forms will be returned to the applicants after the selection process has been completed.

Applicants are identified only by a code number and the identity of the applicants was not revealed in the preliminary judging. A panel of independent judges selected the top three applicants. A separate set of judges subsequently interviewed the finalists and will select the winner.

"The three finalists will have their expenses paid to attend the awards ceremony conducted at Texas Farm Bureau's annual meeting in Waco. The winner and two runners-up will be announced at that ceremony."

A $100 gift certificate to Grainger Industrial Supply will be awarded to each entry in this contest.

The state winner will receive one year's use of a 2004 Dodge Quad Cab pickup and $500 cash, courtesy of Dodge.

The two runners-up will each receive a $100 gift certificate to Grainger Industrial Supply, courtesy of Grainger.