Monday was a banner day for several young Farm Bureau members at the American Farm Bureau Federation convention in Orlando, where the winners of three big contests were announced during the closing session. Each year, contestants compete within their county, district and state to advance in the contests to the AFBF convention, with incredible levels of preparation, study and achievement.

Achievement Award

William and Cala Tabb of Mississippi won the Achievement Award. They are the winners of either a 2016 Chevrolet Silverado or 2016 GMC Sierra, courtesy of Chevrolet. They will also receive paid registration to attend the 2016 YF&R Leadership Conference in Kansas City, Missouri, in February.

“I’m not much of a speaker,” William told the crowd, adding that if an award is only as good as the people who present it, this was a great one.

Runners-up in the Achievement Award contest are Dustin and Ashley Morris of Louisiana, Jay Head of Tennessee, and Sam and Ashley Gardner of Virginia. 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

Chris Van Vlack of Virginia won the Discussion Meet. He will have his choice of either a 2016 Chevrolet Silverado or a 2016 GMC Sierra, courtesy of Chevrolet, plus free registration to the YF&R Leadership Conference.

The three runners-up in the Discussion Meet are Dean Cheshire of Florida, Hunter Grills of Tennessee and Danielle Grant of West 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 Ag

Michael Miron of Minnesota won the Excellence in Agriculture Award. He will receive his choice of either a 2016 Chevrolet Silverado or 2016 GMC Sierra, courtesy of Chevrolet, plus free registration to the 2016 YF&R Conference.

The three runners-up in the Excellence in Agriculture competition are Jesse and Mary Faber of Illinois, Steven and Claudia Long of South Carolina and Mindy McCroskey 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 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.