One of the highlights of the Wisconsin Farm Bureau's annual meeting each year is the various competitions held by the Young Farmer and Agriculturist program.
On Saturday, Kelly Oudenhoven of Outagamie County was named the winner of the first-ever Farming for the Future Award in Wisconsin Dells. That program recognizes members between the ages of 18 and 35 who derive a majority of their income from on-farm production. Kelly is co-owner and herd manager of Larrand Dairy with her husband, Keith, where they milk 450 Holsteins and farm 950 acres. She also opened a farm store, Larrand Specialty Farm Products, and sells direct to consumers.
The YFA's Agriculture Professional Award went to Christa Hoffman from Shawano County. She is a business development administrator at URUS, where she manages grant-funded projects focused on improving cattle management practices on farms in emerging markets. Christa also serves on the Shawano County Farm Bureau board of directors and is the co-chair for Brunch on the Farm.
Five individuals have been selected to receive top honors in the all new 35 Under 35 Award program, which recognizes the creativity and innovation of young farmers and agriculturists who are preserving agriculture through leadership in environmental, social and economic activities. They include: Sustainable Future: Livia Doyle, Iowa County; Sustainable Service: Josh Gerbitz, Dodge County; Sustainable Environment: TJ Roth, Grant County; Sustainable Storytelling: Kaitlyn Riley, Crawford County; and Sustainable Self: Tammy Wiedenbeck, Grant County.
And Rachel Harmann of Door County was this year's winner of the YFA Discussion Meet contest. She is a volunteer engagement representative for the American Red Cross; and raises and shows registered beef cattle with her husband and sons.
Meanwhile, the WFBF also held its Collegiate Discussion Meet over the weekend. Michelle Stangler, a junior at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, was the winner of that competition. A native of Watertown, Michelle was active in both 4-H and FFA, serving as a state FFA office in 2019-2020. She currently serves as reporter for her Collegiate Farm Bureau and is a past Ag Day on Campus co-chair.
All award winners will compete in their respective areas during the American Farm Bureau's annual meeting early next year in Jacksonville, Florida.
Categories: Wisconsin, Business