LaPorte County farmers Jake and Jill Smoker are now the winners of a new Ford truck, courtesy of Ford, after winning the Young Farmers & Ranchers Achievement Award at the American Farm Bureau Federation’s national convention in Atlanta, GA.
“We’re still processing the fact that we’ve been selected for all of this,” exclaimed Jill.
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.
“Indiana Farm Bureau is so proud of what Jake and Jill Smoker have accomplished,” said Randy Kron, INFB president. “Their dedication to Indiana agriculture and the hard work they’ve put into their application sets a great example for other young farmers in our state.”
The last time candidates from Indiana won the Achievement Award was in 2008 when Dave and Kelly Ferguson from Jefferson County took home the title.
The Smokers will also receive paid registration to the AFBF Young Farmers & Ranchers Conference Feb. 25-28 in Louisville.
The Smokers will speak with Hoosier Ag Today later this week to react to their big win.
