Young farmers and ranchers came from across the country to compete in contests at the 2017 American Farm Bureau Federation Convention in Phoenix. Following many rounds of interviews, presentations and discussions, winners were announced.

Achievement Award
Grant and Kristen Strom of Illinois won the Achievement Award. They are the winners of either a 2017 Chevrolet Silverado or 2017 GMC Sierra. They will also receive paid registration to the AFBF FUSION Conference in Pittsburgh Feb.10-13.

Runners-up for Achievement Award were Stewart and Kasey McGill of Alabama, Chris and Patricia Haskins of Virginia, and Jay and Alice Ann Yeargin of Tennessee. The runners-up will receive a Case IH Farmall 50A tractor, courtesy of Case IH, and $3,000 in cash and STIHL merchandise, courtesy of STIHL.

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.

Discussion Meet
Matt Niswander of Tennessee won the Discussion Meet. He will have his choice of either a 2017 Chevrolet Silverado or a 2017 GMC Sierra, courtesy of Chevrolet, plus free registration to the FUSION Conference.

The three runners-up in the Discussion Meet are Amanda Sollman of Michigan, Skye Gess of Georgia and Jessica Jones of Virginia. Each runner-up will receive a Case IH Farmall 50A tractor, courtesy of Case IH, and $3,000 in cash and STIHL merchandise, courtesy of STIHL.

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.

Excellence in Agriculture
Sarah Scyphers of Virginia won the Excellence in Agriculture Award. She will receive her choice of either a 2017 Chevrolet Silverado or 2017 GMC Sierra, courtesy of Chevrolet, plus free registration to the FUSION Conference.

The three runners-up in the Excellence in Agriculture competition are Wayne and Melonie Brinkerhoff of Utah, Terisha and Brian McKeighen of Arizona, and Seth and Lyndsay Earl of Michigan. Each runner-up will receive a Case IH Farmall 50A tractor, courtesy of Case IH, and $3,000 in cash and STIHL merchandise, courtesy of STIHL.

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.