Top Photo: Drew and Lauren Wendland of Autauga County were named Cotton Division winners in the Alabama Farmers Federation 2023 Outstanding Young Farm Family (OYFF) contest during the organization’s Young Farmers Conference in Birmingham Feb. 25.
From the Alabama Farmers Federation
Marlee Moore
The statewide contest is for farmers ages 18-35 who receive most of their income from production agriculture. It measures success based on farm growth and diversification, Farm Bureau involvement and community leadership.
The Wendlands raise row crops and cattle in Autaugaville. As division winners, they will serve a one-year, ex-officio term on the Federation’s State Cotton Committee, where they’ll see the policy development process firsthand and help guide research, promotion and education work.
From left are Federation State Young Farmers Committee Chair and Elmore County farmer Jonathan Edgar, the Wendlands and Federation Executive Director Paul Pinyan.
Alabama Farmers Federation Names Outstanding Young Farm Family Division Winners, Finalists
Three finalists and five additional division winners were named in the 2023 Outstanding Young Farm Family (OYFF) contest during the Alabama Farmers Federation Young Farmers Conference Feb. 25.
They are:
* Mitchell and Rebecca Henry, Lawrence County, Beef Division, OYFF Finalists
* Brady and Anna Peek, Limestone County, Wheat & Feed Grain Division, OYFF Finalists
* Whit and Amanda Lovelady, Talladega County, Hay & Forage Division, OYFF Finalists
* Drew and Lauren Wendland, Autauga County, Cotton Division
* Jacob and Misty Porter, Clay County, Poultry Division
* Ben and Jessica Johnson, DeKalb County, Soybean Division
* Garrett and Robin Dixon, Lee County, Peanuts Division
* Seth and Kaylee Hubert, Madison County, Fruit & Vegetables Division
The statewide contest, held in Birmingham, is for farmers ages 18-35 who receive most of their income from production agriculture. It measures success based on farm growth and diversification, Farm Bureau involvement and community leadership.
The OYFF contest also helps grow involvement in and develops leaders for the state’s largest farm organization, said Federation Young Farmers Division Director Hunter McBrayer.
“This contest is about more than winning prizes,” McBrayer said. “As an organization, it is incredibly important to recognize the accomplishments of the next generation of farmers. It’s also about encouraging engagement and finding ways to get the next crop of leaders deeply engaged in the Federation. We’re proud of these finalists and division winners and applaud them for their hard work building outstanding farms across Alabama.”
The three finalists received a Solo Stove firepit from the Federation and will compete for nearly $80,000 in prizes during on-farm judging this summer. The state winner will be announced during the organization’s Farm & Land Expo in August.
All division winners will serve one-year, ex-officio terms on their respective state commodity committees, where they’ll see the policy development process firsthand and help guide research, promotion and education work.
MEET THE FINALISTS
Mitchell and Rebecca Henry, Lawrence County
* The Henrys raise stocker cattle in Moulton in Lawrence County and won the Beef Division in the OYFF contest, in addition to being named finalists.
* “It means a lot to me because I had a couple of uncles that were finalists and also a cousin, so I guess it’s sort of carrying on a family legacy in a way. So, we’re just looking forward to the next generation. We’ve got one on the way. Looking forward to that and being able to let him ride along on the tractor,” Mitchell Henry said.
* “It’s an honor to represent our families and our state as well in this position, so we’re very grateful,” Rebecca Henry said.
Brady and Anna Peek, Limestone County
* The Peeks grow row crops in Athens in Limestone County and won the Wheat & Feed Grain Division in the OYFF contest, in addition to being named finalists.
* “We’re just largely thankful for the opportunity that we get to farm and that we’ve been able to grow our operation from what was a dream to where it is today,” Brady Peek said.
* “When we first started dating one of the first things Brady said to me was talking about how involved he is in the Farmers Federation and that he wanted to compete in this competition. So it’s just really cool to be able to watch that grow. And we’re excited to add a baby to the mix as well,” Anna Peek said.
Whit and Amanda Lovelady, Talladega County
* The Loveladys grow hay and raise cattle in Alpine in Talladega County and won the Hay & Forage Division in the OYFF contest, in addition to being named finalists.
* “It’s just an outstanding opportunity. We’re just so proud that we could be a part of it. We do what we love every day. Our farm is our life,” Whit Lovelady said.
* “We’re so thankful that we have the opportunity to raise our children on our farm and they get to see the value of our hard work and stewardship that we’re trying to put forth to leave the next generation better, the land better than what we found it,” Amanda Lovelady said.
The Alabama Farmers Federation is 345,000 members strong, serves all 67 Alabama counties and is a member of the American Farm Bureau Federation.
