Illinois Farm Bureau sent three sets of competitors to Orlando to compete in this week’s American Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmer & Rancher contests, and one couple earned themselves a tractor.

Jesse and Mary Faber, Pontiac, were named as finalists in the Excellence in Agriculture award, placing in the top five nationwide. Along with the other two runners up, they will receive a Case IH Farmall 50A tractor, courtesy of Case IH, and $3,000 in cash and STIHL merchandise, courtesy of STIHL.

WINNERS: Jesse and Mary Faber, Pontiac; Tara Yoder, Gilson; and Carrie and Brent Pollard, Rockford, each competed in the 2016 AFBF Young Farmers

The Excellence in Agriculture Award recognizes young farmers and ranchers who do not derive the majority of their income from an agricultural operation, but who actively contribute and grow through their involvement in agriculture, their leadership ability and participation in Farm Bureau and other organizations.

Tara Yoder, Gilson, placed in the sweet 16 in the AFBF YF&R Discussion Meet, having won the Illinois Farm Bureau Discussion Meet last month in Chicago.

The Discussion Meet simulates a committee meeting in which active discussion and participation are expected. Participants are evaluated on their ability to exchange ideas and information on a predetermined topic.

Brent and Carrie Pollard, Rockford dairy farmers, placed in the top 10 in the AFBF YF&R Achievement Award contest, earning the opportunity to interview for the top awards during the Orlando convention. They won the IFB Achievement Award, presented during the Illinois State Fair.

The Achievement Award recognizes young farmers and ranchers who have excelled in their farming or ranching operations and exhibited superior leadership abilities. Participants are evaluated on a combination of their agricultural operation’s growth and financial progress, Farm Bureau leadership and leadership outside of Farm Bureau.

More than 370 Illinoisans are attending the AFBF convention, including many county directors, county presidents and voting delegates. Illinois will have 21 voting delegates and 9 alternate voting delegates representing IFB during Tuesday’s policy development session. Eight current and former state presidents are campaigning for AFBF leadership roles, and that election will be held following the policy development session on Tuesday. While no farmers from Illinois have announced their candidacy this year, three of the 11 farmers elected AFBF president have been from Illinois.