The Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmers & Ranchers Committee presented two awards at the organization’s recent Leadership Conference in Bloomington.

The Golden Pitch Fork Award was presented to someone who is not afraid of hard work and heavy lifting. This year’s recipient of the Golden Pitchfork Award went to Mark Maiers of Sibley County Farm Bureau member and MFBF Promotion & Education chair.

The Outstanding Friend of YF&R is presented to someone who has gone above the call of duty to assist and lead YF&R into the future. This year’s recipient was Rep. Rod Hamilton, R-Mountain Lake.

The Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmers

The YF&R Committee held the preliminary rounds of its annual discussion meet. Contestants were judged on their basic knowledge of critical farm issues and their ability to exchange ideas and information in a setting aimed at cooperative problem solving.

Eight semi-finalists were selected and will compete in the final two rounds of competition at the MFBF Annual Meeting in November. The eight semi-finalists are: Abbey Weninger from Wright County, Katie Schmitt from Benton County, Corey Ramsden from Washington-Ramsey County, Jonathon Guentzel from Le Sueur County, Joe Sullivan from Renville County, Jamison Schneckloth from Mower County, Jared Luhman from Goodhue County and Carl Sackreiter from Winona County.

And the MFBF Promotion & Education Committee presented two awards at the conference, too.

The Golden Apple Award was presented to someone who has gone above and beyond to work with Agriculture in the Classroom programs and worked to educate others around the clock about farming and ranching.

This year’s recipient was Juanita Reed Boniface, Anoka County.

The Advocate of the Year Award is presented to someone who advocates our profession of farming and ranching. This year’s recipients were Brent and Emily Mohn, Scott County.

Nearly 250 Farm Bureau members from across the state attended the leadership conference Jan. 22-23 at the Hilton Airport Hotel in Bloomington.