Four Discussion Meet finalists explored the future of agriculture at the Alabama Farmers Federation’s annual meeting Dec. 7.

The winner, Brittany Hill of Pell City in St. Clair County, won an all-terrain vehicle sponsored by First South Farm Credit. 

“The competition was stiff; I thought it was anyone’s to win,” said Hill, an agriscience teacher in Pell City. “It’s always good as an ag teacher to be prepared and have the ability to explain and discuss questions students may have about agriculture.”

The Discussion Meet simulated a committee meeting where participants considered policy to protect livestock producers from false accusations regarding animal welfare.

Other finalists were Hunter Garnett of Morgan County, Luke Knight of Randolph County and Jerry Allen Newby of Limestone County.

The Excellence in Agriculture and Outstanding Young Farm Family (OYFF) winners were announced earlier this year. They received their prizes at the annual meeting.

Montgomery County’s Garrett and Emily Henry and their children, Paige and Mason, were named Alabama’s OYFF. They received a prize package that included $35,000 from Alfa Insurance towards a new GM truck; a John Deere Gator from Alabama Ag Credit and Alabama Farm Credit; and use of a John Deere tractor sponsored by John Deere, SunSouth, TriGreen Equipment and Snead Ag.

Other OYFF finalists were Madison County’s Stewart and Kasey McGill and Blount County’s Lance and Stephanie Miller. Each couple received $500 courtesy of Alabama Ag Credit and Alabama Farm Credit.

Excellence in Agriculture winner Abbie Keel of Calhoun County won a computer package from Valcom/CCS Wireless and a John Deere zero-turn mower sponsored by Dow AgroSciences. 

Young Farmers contest winners will represent Alabama at the American Farm Bureau Federation annual convention this month in Orlando, Florida.