Young Farmers & Ranchers Contests Overview

Washington Farm Bureau, along with Dodge, and Stihl, sponsored four exciting Young Farmers and Ranchers competitions at the Washington Farm Bureau Annual Meeting in Yakima, Nov. 15-18, 2010. 

Contests included the Discussion Meet, Achievement Award, Excellence in Agriculture Award, and the Collegiate Discussion Meet.  Each of the contests was open to current Farm Bureau members 18-35 years of age.

Discussion Meet

The Discussion Meet contest is designed to simulate a committee meeting where discussion and active participation are expected from each participant. This competition is evaluated on an exchange of ideas and information on a pre-determined topic. The judges are looking for the contestant that offers constructive criticism, cooperation, and communication while analyzing agricultural problems and developing solutions.

The Washington Farm Bureau winner received:

• Expense-paid trip to the American Farm Bureau Federation Convention in Atlanta, Georgia, January 9-12, 2011, to compete in the national contest 
• $500 from Dodge
• $250 from Washington Farm Bureau

Achievement Award

The Achievement Award is designed to recognize those young farmers and ranchers that have excelled in their farming/ranching operations and honed their leadership abilities to superiority.

Contestants are evaluated on a combination of their farming operation growth and financial progress of operation, FB Leadership, as well as leadership outside of Farm Bureau. More specifically, the judges will be looking for excellence in management, growth and scope of the enterprise and self-initiative that have been displayed throughout the operation. A contestant's participation in Farm Bureau and other organizations is a definite point getter from the judges.

The Washington Farm Bureau winner received:

• Laptop computer courtesy of the Washington Farm Bureau Service Co.
• Expense-paid trip to the American Farm Bureau Federation convention in Atlanta, Georgia January 9-12, 2011, to compete in the national contest
• $500 from Dodge

Excellence in Agriculture Award

The Farm Bureau Excellence in Agriculture Award is designed as an opportunity for young farmers and ranchers, while actively contributing and growing through their involvement in Farm Bureau and agriculture, to earn recognition. Participants will be judged on their involvement in agriculture, leadership ability, involvement and participation in Farm Bureau and other organizations (i.e., civic, service and community). 

The Washington Farm Bureau winner received:

• Stilhl MS 290 chainsaw - the Farm Boss, carrying case, safety chaps, and hearing protectors from Stihl Inc.  
• Expense-paid trip to the American Farm Bureau Federation convention in Atlanta, Georgia January 9-12, 2011, to compete in the national contest
• $500 from Dodge

Collegiate Discussion Meet

The Collegiate Discussion Meet contest is designed to simulate a committee meeting where discussion and active participation are expected from each participant. This competition is evaluated on an exchange of ideas and information on a pre-determined topic. The judges are looking for the contestant that offers constructive criticism, cooperation, and communication while analyzing agricultural problems and developing solutions.  The Washington Farm Bureau winner received:

• Expense-paid trip to the national Young Farmers & Ranchers Leadership Conference in Orlando, Florida Feb. 5-7, 2011

• Farm Bureau letterman’s jacket (black wool jacket w/ black leather sleeves) or Bomber jacket (soft black top grain leather) 

At the American Farm Bureau Federation level, winners will receive:

Discussion Meet

• Nicely-equipped 2009 Dodge Ram pickup 
• Paid registration to the 2009 YF&R Leadership Conference
• Three finalists receive a $6,000 U.S. Savings Bond and a Farm Boss Chain saw, courtesy of Stihl Outdoor Power Equipment

Achievement Award

• Nicely-equipped 2009 Dodge Ram pickup truck 
• Paid registration to the 2009 YF&R Leadership Conference
• Four runners-up will each receive a Case IH DX compact tractor.

Excellence in Agriculture

• Nicely-equipped 2009 Dodge Quad Cab pickup
• Paid registration to the 2009 YF&R Leadership Conference
• Three runners-up will receive a $4,000 U.S. Savings Bond and a Farm Boss Chain saw, courtesy of Stihl Outdoor Power Equipment.

Collegiate Discussion Meet

Prizes are sponsored by the CHS Foundation.  The winner receives a $2,500 scholarship.  The three finalists receive $1,000 scholarships.  Each participant receives a $250 scholarship. 

For more information, contact Kristen Hinton, WFB YF&R staff coordinator, at (360) 561-0387.