Tennessee Young Farmers and Ranchers Win National Honors

During the 93rd Annual Meeting of the American Farm Bureau Federation, the Tennessee Young Farmers & Ranchers took home top honors in the Achievement Award and Excellence in Agriculture competitions. Young farmers and ranchers from around the country competed for the awards by demonstrating knowledge of and achievement in agriculture, as well as commitment to promoting the agriculture industry.

Winners of the Young Farmers & Ranchers Achievement Award, Ben and Jennifer Moore of Weakley County recieve either a 2012 Chevrolet Silverado or 2012 GMC Sierra, courtesy of GM. The Moores will also receive paid registration to attend the 2012 AFBF YF&R Leadership Conference in Grand Rapids, Michigan in February.

The Moores farm over 3,400 acres in the surrounding Dresden area of Weakley County. Their major crops are corn, soybeans and pasture for an approximate 75 head cow/calf livestock herd that they manage. Jennifer also manages 4,000 sows and 14 employees on a separate operation. The couple also has their own swine operation as well.

Both Ben and Jennifer have been very active in the Young Farmer and Rancher program, as well as the Weakley County Farm Bureau and his community. Ben has served as the state YF&R committee chairman, a member of the TFBF Board of Directors, American Farm Bureau PAL scholarship participant and held numerous county YF&R leadership positions. Jennifer is a member of the Tennessee Pork Producers Association, active on numerous YF&R committees, as well as several community organizations. The Moores have three sons.

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.

Andy and Ellie Holt, also from Weakley County, Tennessee won the Excellence in Agriculture Award. They will receive their choice of either a 2012 Chevrolet Silverado or 2012 GMC Sierra, courtesy of GM, plus free registration to the 2012 AFBF YF&R Leadership Conference.

The Holts, along with their three children, own and operate Holt Family Farms, a custom hog and agritourism operation in Weakley County. They have diversified by creating a pick your own pumpkin and Christmas tree operation seasonally and have educational opportunities for all who visit the farm.

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.

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For more information contact: Pettus Read, TFBF Director of Communiations, (931) 388-7872 ext. 2212, pread@tfbf.com