Marlee Moore
(334) 613-4219

Following an intense dialogue about protecting production technology for farmers, Sid Phelps of Dadeville in Tallapoosa County clinched the 2018 Young Farmers Discussion Meet title Dec. 3.

Phelps, the e-commerce manager for Bonnie Plants, beat out competitors Kyle Morris of Hanceville in Cullman County and Brady Peek of Athens in Limestone County at the Alabama Farmers Federation’s 97th annual meeting in Montgomery.

“Our state competition is tough, but now it’s time to buckle down and prepare for the national level,” Phelps said. “I want to represent Alabama in the best way possible and make our state proud.”

He received a four-wheeler courtesy of First South Farm Credit as this year’s Discussion Meet winner. The contest simulates a committee meeting where participants examine issues facing agriculture.

Discussion Meet finalists and other Young Farmers contest winners were named at the Federation’s Commodity Producers Conference in August. During the annual meeting’s closing session, prizes were awarded to Outstanding Young Farm Family (OYFF) Chris and Jordyn Upchurch of Clay County and Excellence in Agriculture winner Samantha Carpenter of Limestone County.

As OYFF, the Upchurches received $35,000 toward a Ford truck courtesy of Alfa Insurance; a John Deere 825i Gator sponsored by Alabama Ag Credit and Alabama Farm Credit; the lease of a John Deere tractor provided by John Deere, AgPro, SunSouth and TriGreen Equipment; and a 30- by 40-foot pole barn from Register Barn Co.

The Upchurches raise poultry and cattle on their Lineville farm. They have an infant son, Charlie.

As the Excellence in Agriculture winner, Carpenter was awarded a zero-turn mower from Corteva Agriscience and a computer package from Valcom/CCS Wireless. She is the Alabama Farmers Cooperative’s digital marketing and public relations manager. Carpenter lives in Madison.

Young Farmers contest winners receive an expense-paid trip to compete at the American Farm Bureau Federation annual convention in January in New Orleans.

For more information on Young Farmers contests, visit AlfaYoungFarmers.org.