Kevin and Jennifer Wolsky, Carrington, N.D., were selected national winners at the 60th annual National Outstanding Young Farmers Awards Congress held recently in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Four national winners were selected from a group of 10 finalists for the award based on their progress in an agricultural career, extent of soil and water conservation practices, and contributions to the well-being of the community, state and nation.

The three other national winners for 2016 are from Connecticut, New Jersey, and Washington. National winners received a savings bond from corporate sponsor John Deere and the opportunity to travel to Washington, D.C., during National Ag Week in 2017.

Kevin and Jennifer Wolsky were selected as one of four National Outstanding Young Farmer winners.

A degree from North Dakota State University in Ag Economics prepared Kevin Wolsky to take over the management of his parents’ farm soon after his college graduation. He currently grows soybeans, wheat, edible beans and corn. He also raises foundation and registered hard red spring wheat seed for Monsanto, Century 21 Genetics, and NDSU.

Tile drainage, grass waterways and technology implementation have minimized erosion and improved efficiency in soil and water conservation. NDSU recently mapped most of the farm’s UAV acres as part of a research project and providing information on stand count, population rates, crop damage, weeds, saturation, and soil data to help improve variable rate applications.

Kevin and his wife, Jennifer, are raising eight children: Kaden, Grace, Emma, Haley, Reagan, Kallen, Krew, and Aleah. Kevin serves on the school board and the county ag improvement association as well as the elevator board. Other organizations he’s involved in include the water resource district, joint water board, his church council and Sunday school and the NDSU Carrington Research Extension Center advisory board.

The National Outstanding Young Farmer program selected its first group of national winners in 1955. The program is sponsored by John Deere, administered by the Outstanding Farmers of America (OFA), and supported by the National Association of County Agricultural Agents and the U.S. Jaycees.

Source: OYFA