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If anyone tells you "there just aren't any young people left in agriculture," don't you believe it! Texas Farm Bureau's Young Farmer & Rancher Advisory Committee proves that statement wrong each year when they sponsor three contests designed to identify, recognize and reward outstanding young people in Texas agriculture. This year is no exception as the details of the Outstanding Young Farmer & Rancher, Discussion Meet and Excellence in Agriculture awards programs are made available.
All three of these contests are designed for young people who are involved in agriculture and are no more than 35 years of age as of January 31, 2006.
The Outstanding Young Farmer & Rancher Contest is for individuals and/or couples who make the majority of their living from an agricultural operation that they own. The Contest consists of an application that details their operation from its beginning to its present form. Judges will look at the growth and progress of the operation, community and industry involvement as well as leadership roles undertaken by the applicant(s).
The Discussion Meet Contest is the discussion of four pre-selected agricultural topics in a round table or meeting-like setting. The Contest is not a debate, speech or formal presentation, but rather a logical discussion of issues. Contestants will be judged on cooperative attitude, knowledge of the subject and how they interact with other contestants to reach a consensus or plan of action. This contest will be conducted at the TFB Annual Meeting in Waco on Saturday, December 3. Contestants will be reimbursed up to $200 for travel expenses related to participation in the Contest.
The Excellence in Agriculture Contest is designed for young people who are involved in agriculture on a day-to-day basis, but do not make the majority of their living from an agricultural enterprise that they own. Examples of eligible contestants would be farm store managers/employees, farm/ranch employees, agriculture science teachers, etc. The Contest consists of an application and then a telephone interview for the top three contestants. Contestants will be judged on their involvement in agriculture and their community as well as their answers to various questions concerning the future of agriculture.
The array of prizes offered for these three contests include:
•The title to a 2006 Dodge Ram 2500 quad cab 4X4 with a Cummins Diesel engine. (Southern Farm Bureau Casualty Insurance Co.) .
•One year's use of three Dodge Ram 2500 quad cab 4X4 trucks (Yes, they have Hemis!).
•$500 cash to each contest winner (Dodge).
•One year's use of a Case IH tractor.
•One year's use of a Kubota tractor.
•Title to an Arctic Cat 500 ATV (Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance Co.).
•Certificates for any items offered by Grainger Industrial Supply.
•Several new pairs of Justin Boots.
•A $50 certificate from Am-Pac Tire Pros for every contestant.
Information and applications for all three contests can be obtained from any County Farm Bureau office, from the Texas Farm Bureau website at www.txfb.org, or by contacting Si Cook at 254-751-2286 or scook@txfb.org
