By Marlee Jackson

Alabama young farmers were hailed for statewide success across three contests during an awards presentation Aug. 8 in Mobile.

Outstanding Young Farm Family (OYFF), Excellence in Agriculture and Discussion Meet accolades were presented as part of the Alabama Farmers Federation Farm & Land Conference.

Garrett and Robin Dixon of Lee County took top prize in the OYFF contest, which honors farm growth, civic service and Federation involvement. They grow row crops and raise cattle in Salem with their children, Chandler Jane and Cash.

As OYFF, the Dixons score $40,000 toward a Ford vehicle courtesy of Alfa Insurance; a year’s lease on a John Deere tractor from John Deere, SunSouth and TriGreen; and a John Deere Gator from Alabama Ag Credit and Alabama Farm Credit.

OYFF runners-up receive $500 from perennial sponsors Alabama Ag Credit and Alabama Farm Credit.

Cade and Shelby Easterling of Barbour County were named first runners-up and net the year’s use of a Kubota tractor from Kubota. The poultry, cattle and small-ruminant farmers live in Blue Springs, where they are raising daughter Mary Jo.

The OYFF second runners-up are Jacob and Misty Porter, who will receive a custom crop protection package from Corteva Agriscience. The Porters’ farm in Lineville includes poultry, cattle and hay. They have two sons, Olen and Asher.

Leaders were also honored in the Excellence in Agriculture competition. Austin Blankenship of Lawrence County won the contest, which highlights those who are involved in agriculture but receive less than half their income from farming. An Extension agent who lives in Moulton, Blankenship competed via an application and presentation and will receive a zero-turn lawnmower from Corteva Agriscience.

Kaitlyn Thacker of Marshall County and Jonathan Edgar of Elmore County were named first and second runners-up, respectively.

Additionally, four Discussion Meet finalists were named. They are Madden Ragan, DeKalb County; Bryer Morrison, Etowah County; Hunter Rogers, Limestone County; and Ben Castleberry, St. Clair County.

Discussion Meet simulates a committee meeting where participants discuss solutions to agricultural issues. The Final Four will compete during the annual meeting in December, and the winner will receive a four-wheeler from First South Farm Credit.

All finalists were presented a Turtlebox speaker from the Federation and Alfa Farmers Member Perks. The Dixons, Blankenship and the Discussion Meet winner advance to national contests during American Farm Bureau Federation Annual Convention in January in Charlotte, North Carolina.