hree of the best young agricultural producers in the Lone Star State—one from East Texas, one from West Texas and one from Central Texas—have been named finalists in the 2009 Texas Farm Bureau Outstanding Young Farmer & Rancher (YF&R) Contest.
Sponsored by the state’s largest farm organization, the annual competition recognizes the accomplishments of some of Texas’ top young agricultural leaders and rewards them for all the hard work and determination needed to succeed in this ever-changing industry.
This year’s Outstanding YF&R finalists—Ernest and Courtney Bailes of Shepherd, Paul and Monica Minzenmayer of Rowena, and Michael and Leigh Welch of Troy—were chosen from an outstanding field of applicants.
Outstanding YF&R winners are selected from all 13 TFB state districts, with the top three advancing to the statewide competition. The winner will be named at the Texas Farm Bureau state convention in Fort Worth on Dec. 5-7.
Bailes, 27, is a beef cattle, hay and timber producer in San Jacinto County. He also founded Repro-Select, which has quickly become one of the top names in cattle and wildlife genetics. He and his wife, Courtney, have two sons.
Minzenmayer, 28, raises wheat, cotton and cattle in Runnels County, as well as owning a grain storage and marketing facility near Roscoe. He and his wife, Monica, have a son and a daughter.
Welch, 28, farms corn, wheat, cotton and milo in Bell County, along with managing a beef cattle herd, custom farming operation and liquid feed business. He and his wife, Leigh, have two daughters.
Winner of this year’s Outstanding YF&R Contest will take home the following award package: Title to a 2010 Dodge Ram 3/4-ton 4x4 Mega Cab pickup with a Cummins diesel engine, courtesy of Texas Farm Bureau Insurance Companies; 150 hours use of a Case IH tractor (winner selects from a 40 PTO horsepower to 155 PTO horsepower tractor two-wheel drive or a MFD front-wheel drive assist), courtesy of Case IH; a $500 cash award from Dodge Trucks; and a plaque and belt buckle.
Runners-up in the Outstanding YF&R Contest receive a power tool from Grainger Industrial Supply; a new pair of Justin boots, compliments of Justin Brands Inc.; and a plaque and belt buckle.
The state winner will also represent Texas in the National YF&R Contest, held in conjunction with the American Farm Bureau Federation’s annual meeting in Seattle, Wash. Jan. 10-13, 2010.