August 1 is the application deadline for the Indiana Farm Bureau Young Farmer Excellence in Agriculture and Achievement awards. The Farm Bureau Excellence in Agriculture Award is an opportunity for recognition for young farmers (ages 18-35) who do not derive the majority of their income from an owned agricultural operation but who actively contribute and grow through their involvement in Farm Bureau and agriculture. Participants will be judged on their involvement in agriculture, leadership ability, involvement and participation in Farm Bureau and other organizations.
The Farm Bureau Achievement Award recognizes and rewards outstanding young Farm Bureau members whose management and community commitment set a positive example for others. In order to be eligible, applicants must earn a majority of their income from production agriculture. The criteria are farm operation (25 percent), growth and financial progress of operation (35 percent), Farm Bureau leadership (25 percent), and other leadership (15 percent).
To qualify for consideration for either award, applicants must fill out the application form, which can be found at www.infarmbureau.org under “Programs” and then “Young Farmer Homepage.” There are separate applications for each award.
Applications must be in the Indiana Farm Bureau office before midnight (Eastern Standard Time) Aug. 1, 2012, to be considered for recognition and awards. You may email the application to meet the deadline and mail the signature pages to us.
The winner of the achievement award will receive $6,000 from Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance, 250 hours’ use of an M-Series tractor courtesy of Kubota Tractor, the David L. Leising Memorial Award, and paid expenses to the national convention in Nashville, Tenn. The two runners-up will receive a $1,000 prize from Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance.
The excellence in agriculture winner will receive a John Deere Gator courtesy of Farm Credit Services, $3,000 from Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance, and expenses paid to the national convention. The two runners-up will get $1,000 from Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance.
Both state winners will be recognized at the IFB convention Dec. 7 and 8, 2012, and will compete in the American Farm Bureau Young Farmers & Ranchers contests.
More information and the application forms are available on the IFB website, www.infarmbureau.org, or by calling 1-800-FARMBUR, ext. 7846.
Source: Indiana Farm Bureau