Josh and Jessica Turner of Sylvania in DeKalb
County were named Alabama’s Outstanding Young
Farm Family during the Alabama Farmers Federation’s
89th annual meeting in Mobile.The Turners, who operate a poultry and cattle farm,
were selected to compete for the award earlier this year
after being named the Outstanding Young Farm Family
in the Poultry Division of the Alabama Farmers Federation.
They have three children: a daughter, Harlee (6)
and sons Griffin (4) and Jake (2).As Alabama’s Outstanding Young Farm Family, the
Turners will participate in many activities promoting
Alabama agriculture during the coming year. They will
receive thousands of dollars in cash and prizes, including
a John Deere Gator courtesy of Alabama Ag Credit
and Alabama Farm Credit; a personal computer package
courtesy of Valcom/CCS Wireless; a one-year lease of
a John Deere tractor courtesy of Tri-Green, SunSouth
and Snead Ag; $500 cash from Dodge; the use of a new
Chevrolet Traverse from the Alabama Farmers Federation;
and an expense-paid trip to the 2011 American
Farm Bureau Annual Meeting where they will compete
for the Young Farmers Achievement Award Dodge
Truck.With 30 head of beef cows, six broiler houses and
three children, the Turners lead a busy life, but for
them, “busy” is the only lifestyle they have ever
known. Josh began his career as a poultry producer
while he was still in high school when he leased two
broiler houses from his grandfather and great uncle.Years later, he and Jessica have six poultry houses of
their own that are equipped with computerized monitoring
systems to increase efficiency and productivity.
They also have a successful hay business that complements
their beef cattle operation.Other activities in the Young Farmers program
highlighted much of the closing session. Katie Hines of
Madison County was named the winner of the Young
Farmers Discussion Meet. As the winner, she received
$500 from Dodge and a matching cash prize from First
South Farm Credit. She will go on to represent Alabama
at the American Farm Bureau’s Annual Meeting
in Atlanta this month, where she will compete for the
chance to win a 2011 Dodge Truck and other prizes.Allie Corcoran of Barbour County was the secondplace
winner of the Discussion Meet and also received
$500 from First South Farm Credit. The third- and
fourth-place finishers, Josh Turner of DeKalb County
and Mike Dole of St. Clair County, each received $250
from First South Farm Credit.The Young Farmers Discussion Meet competition
helps young farmers develop a deeper understanding of
important agricultural issues and explore how groups
can pool knowledge to reach a consensus to solve problems.Contestants were asked to discuss the American
public’s perception of farmers and were asked if consumers
feel agriculture is important to their security.
Kirk Smith of Blount County also was recognized
during the program. Earlier in 2010, he was selected as
the winner in the Young Farmers’ Excellence in Agriculture
Competition. He received $500 from Dodge,
$500 from the Alabama Farmers Federation and a
plaque.The Excellence in Agriculture Contest seeks to recognize
individuals who do not derive a majority of their
income from farming, but do an excellent job of promoting
agriculture through their everyday job. As part
of the competition, contestants must give a 15-minute
PowerPoint presentation on the top-three most important
issues affecting agriculture in the next five years
and their role in promoting agriculture.Kirk, who is an agriscience teacher and FFA advisor
at Appalachian High School, will go on to represent
Alabama at the AFBF annual meeting in Atlanta, where
he will compete for the chance to win a 2011 Dodge
Truck and other prizes.