By Marlee Moore
(334) 613-4219

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.

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.

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.

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The Alabama Farmers Federation is 345,000 members strong, serves all 67 Alabama counties and is a member of the American Farm Bureau Federation.