Young farmer award winners named; winners are from Eaton, Shiawassee, Hillsdale, Ottawa counties
Young farmer award winners named; winners are from Eaton, Shiawassee, Hillsdale, Ottawa counties
Young farmer award winners named; winners are from Eaton, Shiawassee, Hillsdale, Ottawa counties
Young farmer award winners named; winners are from Eaton, Shiawassee, Hillsdale, Ottawa counties
Young farmer award winners named; winners are from Eaton, Shiawassee, Hillsdale, Ottawa counties
Contacts: Through Dec. 5, contact Jill Corrin at (616) 742-7776; After Dec. 5, contact Lori Chamberlain at (800) 292-2680, ext. 3234
GRAND RAPIDS, Dec. 3, 2008 — The results of Michigan Farm Bureau’s (MFB) popular young farmer contests are in, and four young farmers have been formally recognized for their superior agricultural involvement and leadership.
During an awards ceremony Dec. 3 at MFB’s 89th Annual Meeting in Grand Rapids, MFB announced the winners in four award competitions for MFB members between the ages of 18 and 35.
For each award category, a total of four finalists competed for top honors. Winners are highlighted below, along with award descriptions and details of the winner’s prize. All finalists received a prize package sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, the Farm Bureau Family Credit Union and Grainger.
YOUNG FARMER ACHIEVEMENT AWARD - Winner Chris Demerly
Chris Demerly, of Owosso in Shiawassee County, is the winner of MFB’s Young Farmer Achievement Award. More information about Demerly is available online at http://www.michfb.com/annual/yf/38/57.
The Young Farmer Achievement Award recognizes a successful young Farm Bureau member for outstanding achievement in the business of farming and leadership in the agricultural community.
As the winner, Demerly was rewarded with the use of a Kubota L or M series tractor for one year, a $500 cash prize from General Motors, a prize sponsored by the Farm Bureau Family Credit Union and Grainger, and sponsorship to Michigan Farm Bureau’s 2009 Young Farmer Leaders’ Conference.
In addition, Demerly will compete for the national Young Farmer and Rancher (YF&R) Achievement Award at the American Farm Bureau Federation 90th Convention and Annual Meeting, Jan. 11-14 in San Antonio, Texas. The national winner will receive a 2009 “nicely equipped” Dodge Ram 3500 and paid registration to the 2009 YF&R Leadership Conference, Feb. 7-9, in Sacramento, Calif. Each of the four national runners-up will receive a Case IH DX compact tractor. All national competitors will receive an inscribed plaque and a prize package sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, the Farm Bureau Family Credit Union, and Grainger.
OUTSTANDING YOUNG AGRICULTURAL LEADER AWARD - Winner Ben Tirrell
Ben Tirrell, of Charlotte in Eaton County, is the winner of MFB’s Outstanding Young Agricultural Leader Award. More information about Tirrell is available online at http://www.michfb.com/annual/yf/39/63.
The Outstanding Young Agricultural Leader Award recognizes a successful young agriculturalist for outstanding leadership in farming and the agricultural community.
As the winner, Tirrell was rewarded with a one-year lease of a New Holland tractor from Burnips Equipment Co., a $500 cash prize from GreenStone Farm Credit Services, a prize sponsored by the Farm Bureau Family Credit Union and Grainger, sponsorship to Michigan Farm Bureau’s 2009 Young Farmer Leaders’ Conference, and a trip to the American Farm Bureau Federation 90th Convention and Annual Meeting in San Antonio, Texas, Jan. 11-14.
OUTSTANDING YOUNG FARM EMPLOYEE AWARD - Winner Kevin Bever
Kevin Bever, of Reading in Hillsdale County, is the winner of MFB’s Outstanding Young Farm Employee Award. More information about Bever is available online at http://www.michfb.com/annual/yf/40/66.
The Outstanding Young Farm Employee Award recognizes a successful young agriculturalist for outstanding leadership in farming and the agricultural community, as well as a commitment to production agriculture.
As the winner, Bever was rewarded with an all-expense-paid trip to Cancun sponsored by Great Lakes Hybrids, a $500 cash prize from GreenStone Farm Credit Services, a prize sponsored by the Farm Bureau Family Credit Union and Grainger, sponsorship to Michigan Farm Bureau’s 2009 Young Farmer Leaders’ Conference, and a trip to the American Farm Bureau Federation 90th Convention and Annual Meeting in San Antonio, Texas, Jan. 11-14.
MFB EXCELLENCE IN AGRICULTURE AWARD - Winner Jeff Vander Werff
Jeff Vander Werff, of Casnovia in Ottawa County, is the winner of MFB’S Excellence in Agriculture Award. More information about Vander Werff is available online at http://www.michfb.com/annual/yf/41/72.
The MFB Excellence in Agriculture Award recognizes a young person who does not derive the majority of his or her income from a personally owned agricultural operation, but who actively contributes to and grows through his or her involvement in Farm Bureau and agriculture.
As the winner, Vander Werff was rewarded with a three-month lease on a Caterpillar skid-steer loader sponsored by Michigan CAT, a $500 cash prize from General Motors, a prize sponsored by the Farm Bureau Family Credit Union and Grainger, and sponsorship to MFB’s 2009 Young Farmer Leaders’ Conference.
In addition, Vander Werff will compete for the national Young Farmer and Rancher (YF&R) Excellence in Agriculture Award at the American Farm Bureau Federation 90th Convention and Annual Meeting, Jan. 11-14 in San Antonio, Texas. The national winner will receive a 2009 “nicely equipped” Dodge Ram 1500 and paid registration to the 2009 YF&R Leadership Conference, Feb. 7-9, 2009 in Sacramento, Calif. Each of the national runners-up will receive a $6,000 U.S. Savings Bond and a Farm Boss on behalf of Stihl. All national competitors will receive an inscribed plaque.
MFB
MFB is the state’s largest general farm organization, representing more than 47,000 farm families. The MFB annual meeting kicked off on Dec. 2 and continues through Dec. 5 at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel and DeVos Place.
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Editor’s Note: Visit http://www.michfb.com/annual/photos for photos from the awards ceremony.
Contacts: Through Dec. 5, contact Jill Corrin at (616) 742-7776; After Dec. 5, contact Lori Chamberlain at (800) 292-2680, ext. 3234
GRAND RAPIDS, Dec. 3, 2008 — The results of Michigan Farm Bureau’s (MFB) popular young farmer contests are in, and four young farmers have been formally recognized for their superior agricultural involvement and leadership.
During an awards ceremony Dec. 3 at MFB’s 89th Annual Meeting in Grand Rapids, MFB announced the winners in four award competitions for MFB members between the ages of 18 and 35.
For each award category, a total of four finalists competed for top honors. Winners are highlighted below, along with award descriptions and details of the winner’s prize. All finalists received a prize package sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, the Farm Bureau Family Credit Union and Grainger.
YOUNG FARMER ACHIEVEMENT AWARD - Winner Chris Demerly
Chris Demerly, of Owosso in Shiawassee County, is the winner of MFB’s Young Farmer Achievement Award. More information about Demerly is available online at http://www.michfb.com/annual/yf/38/57.
The Young Farmer Achievement Award recognizes a successful young Farm Bureau member for outstanding achievement in the business of farming and leadership in the agricultural community.
As the winner, Demerly was rewarded with the use of a Kubota L or M series tractor for one year, a $500 cash prize from General Motors, a prize sponsored by the Farm Bureau Family Credit Union and Grainger, and sponsorship to Michigan Farm Bureau’s 2009 Young Farmer Leaders’ Conference.
In addition, Demerly will compete for the national Young Farmer and Rancher (YF&R) Achievement Award at the American Farm Bureau Federation 90th Convention and Annual Meeting, Jan. 11-14 in San Antonio, Texas. The national winner will receive a 2009 “nicely equipped” Dodge Ram 3500 and paid registration to the 2009 YF&R Leadership Conference, Feb. 7-9, in Sacramento, Calif. Each of the four national runners-up will receive a Case IH DX compact tractor. All national competitors will receive an inscribed plaque and a prize package sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, the Farm Bureau Family Credit Union, and Grainger.
OUTSTANDING YOUNG AGRICULTURAL LEADER AWARD - Winner Ben Tirrell
Ben Tirrell, of Charlotte in Eaton County, is the winner of MFB’s Outstanding Young Agricultural Leader Award. More information about Tirrell is available online at http://www.michfb.com/annual/yf/39/63.
The Outstanding Young Agricultural Leader Award recognizes a successful young agriculturalist for outstanding leadership in farming and the agricultural community.
As the winner, Tirrell was rewarded with a one-year lease of a New Holland tractor from Burnips Equipment Co., a $500 cash prize from GreenStone Farm Credit Services, a prize sponsored by the Farm Bureau Family Credit Union and Grainger, sponsorship to Michigan Farm Bureau’s 2009 Young Farmer Leaders’ Conference, and a trip to the American Farm Bureau Federation 90th Convention and Annual Meeting in San Antonio, Texas, Jan. 11-14.
OUTSTANDING YOUNG FARM EMPLOYEE AWARD - Winner Kevin Bever
Kevin Bever, of Reading in Hillsdale County, is the winner of MFB’s Outstanding Young Farm Employee Award. More information about Bever is available online at http://www.michfb.com/annual/yf/40/66.
The Outstanding Young Farm Employee Award recognizes a successful young agriculturalist for outstanding leadership in farming and the agricultural community, as well as a commitment to production agriculture.
As the winner, Bever was rewarded with an all-expense-paid trip to Cancun sponsored by Great Lakes Hybrids, a $500 cash prize from GreenStone Farm Credit Services, a prize sponsored by the Farm Bureau Family Credit Union and Grainger, sponsorship to Michigan Farm Bureau’s 2009 Young Farmer Leaders’ Conference, and a trip to the American Farm Bureau Federation 90th Convention and Annual Meeting in San Antonio, Texas, Jan. 11-14.
MFB EXCELLENCE IN AGRICULTURE AWARD - Winner Jeff Vander Werff
Jeff Vander Werff, of Casnovia in Ottawa County, is the winner of MFB’S Excellence in Agriculture Award. More information about Vander Werff is available online at http://www.michfb.com/annual/yf/41/72.
The MFB Excellence in Agriculture Award recognizes a young person who does not derive the majority of his or her income from a personally owned agricultural operation, but who actively contributes to and grows through his or her involvement in Farm Bureau and agriculture.
As the winner, Vander Werff was rewarded with a three-month lease on a Caterpillar skid-steer loader sponsored by Michigan CAT, a $500 cash prize from General Motors, a prize sponsored by the Farm Bureau Family Credit Union and Grainger, and sponsorship to MFB’s 2009 Young Farmer Leaders’ Conference.
In addition, Vander Werff will compete for the national Young Farmer and Rancher (YF&R) Excellence in Agriculture Award at the American Farm Bureau Federation 90th Convention and Annual Meeting, Jan. 11-14 in San Antonio, Texas. The national winner will receive a 2009 “nicely equipped” Dodge Ram 1500 and paid registration to the 2009 YF&R Leadership Conference, Feb. 7-9, 2009 in Sacramento, Calif. Each of the national runners-up will receive a $6,000 U.S. Savings Bond and a Farm Boss on behalf of Stihl. All national competitors will receive an inscribed plaque.
MFB
MFB is the state’s largest general farm organization, representing more than 47,000 farm families. The MFB annual meeting kicked off on Dec. 2 and continues through Dec. 5 at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel and DeVos Place.
-30-
Editor’s Note: Visit http://www.michfb.com/annual/photos for photos from the awards ceremony.
Contacts: Through Dec. 5, contact Jill Corrin at (616) 742-7776; After Dec. 5, contact Lori Chamberlain at (800) 292-2680, ext. 3234
GRAND RAPIDS, Dec. 3, 2008 — The results of Michigan Farm Bureau’s (MFB) popular young farmer contests are in, and four young farmers have been formally recognized for their superior agricultural involvement and leadership.
During an awards ceremony Dec. 3 at MFB’s 89th Annual Meeting in Grand Rapids, MFB announced the winners in four award competitions for MFB members between the ages of 18 and 35.
For each award category, a total of four finalists competed for top honors. Winners are highlighted below, along with award descriptions and details of the winner’s prize. All finalists received a prize package sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, the Farm Bureau Family Credit Union and Grainger.
YOUNG FARMER ACHIEVEMENT AWARD - Winner Chris Demerly
Chris Demerly, of Owosso in Shiawassee County, is the winner of MFB’s Young Farmer Achievement Award. More information about Demerly is available online at http://www.michfb.com/annual/yf/38/57.
The Young Farmer Achievement Award recognizes a successful young Farm Bureau member for outstanding achievement in the business of farming and leadership in the agricultural community.
As the winner, Demerly was rewarded with the use of a Kubota L or M series tractor for one year, a $500 cash prize from General Motors, a prize sponsored by the Farm Bureau Family Credit Union and Grainger, and sponsorship to Michigan Farm Bureau’s 2009 Young Farmer Leaders’ Conference.
In addition, Demerly will compete for the national Young Farmer and Rancher (YF&R) Achievement Award at the American Farm Bureau Federation 90th Convention and Annual Meeting, Jan. 11-14 in San Antonio, Texas. The national winner will receive a 2009 “nicely equipped” Dodge Ram 3500 and paid registration to the 2009 YF&R Leadership Conference, Feb. 7-9, in Sacramento, Calif. Each of the four national runners-up will receive a Case IH DX compact tractor. All national competitors will receive an inscribed plaque and a prize package sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, the Farm Bureau Family Credit Union, and Grainger.
OUTSTANDING YOUNG AGRICULTURAL LEADER AWARD - Winner Ben Tirrell
Ben Tirrell, of Charlotte in Eaton County, is the winner of MFB’s Outstanding Young Agricultural Leader Award. More information about Tirrell is available online at http://www.michfb.com/annual/yf/39/63.
The Outstanding Young Agricultural Leader Award recognizes a successful young agriculturalist for outstanding leadership in farming and the agricultural community.
As the winner, Tirrell was rewarded with a one-year lease of a New Holland tractor from Burnips Equipment Co., a $500 cash prize from GreenStone Farm Credit Services, a prize sponsored by the Farm Bureau Family Credit Union and Grainger, sponsorship to Michigan Farm Bureau’s 2009 Young Farmer Leaders’ Conference, and a trip to the American Farm Bureau Federation 90th Convention and Annual Meeting in San Antonio, Texas, Jan. 11-14.
OUTSTANDING YOUNG FARM EMPLOYEE AWARD - Winner Kevin Bever
Kevin Bever, of Reading in Hillsdale County, is the winner of MFB’s Outstanding Young Farm Employee Award. More information about Bever is available online at http://www.michfb.com/annual/yf/40/66.
The Outstanding Young Farm Employee Award recognizes a successful young agriculturalist for outstanding leadership in farming and the agricultural community, as well as a commitment to production agriculture.
As the winner, Bever was rewarded with an all-expense-paid trip to Cancun sponsored by Great Lakes Hybrids, a $500 cash prize from GreenStone Farm Credit Services, a prize sponsored by the Farm Bureau Family Credit Union and Grainger, sponsorship to Michigan Farm Bureau’s 2009 Young Farmer Leaders’ Conference, and a trip to the American Farm Bureau Federation 90th Convention and Annual Meeting in San Antonio, Texas, Jan. 11-14.
MFB EXCELLENCE IN AGRICULTURE AWARD - Winner Jeff Vander Werff
Jeff Vander Werff, of Casnovia in Ottawa County, is the winner of MFB’S Excellence in Agriculture Award. More information about Vander Werff is available online at http://www.michfb.com/annual/yf/41/72.
The MFB Excellence in Agriculture Award recognizes a young person who does not derive the majority of his or her income from a personally owned agricultural operation, but who actively contributes to and grows through his or her involvement in Farm Bureau and agriculture.
As the winner, Vander Werff was rewarded with a three-month lease on a Caterpillar skid-steer loader sponsored by Michigan CAT, a $500 cash prize from General Motors, a prize sponsored by the Farm Bureau Family Credit Union and Grainger, and sponsorship to MFB’s 2009 Young Farmer Leaders’ Conference.
In addition, Vander Werff will compete for the national Young Farmer and Rancher (YF&R) Excellence in Agriculture Award at the American Farm Bureau Federation 90th Convention and Annual Meeting, Jan. 11-14 in San Antonio, Texas. The national winner will receive a 2009 “nicely equipped” Dodge Ram 1500 and paid registration to the 2009 YF&R Leadership Conference, Feb. 7-9, 2009 in Sacramento, Calif. Each of the national runners-up will receive a $6,000 U.S. Savings Bond and a Farm Boss on behalf of Stihl. All national competitors will receive an inscribed plaque.
MFB
MFB is the state’s largest general farm organization, representing more than 47,000 farm families. The MFB annual meeting kicked off on Dec. 2 and continues through Dec. 5 at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel and DeVos Place.
-30-
Editor’s Note: Visit http://www.michfb.com/annual/photos for photos from the awards ceremony.
