Achievement in Agriculture Award

The Achievement in Agriculture Award recognizes Young Farmers & Ranchers who demonstrate strong leadership skills and excellence in their farming or ranching operations. The award is presented annually during the Florida Farm Bureau Annual Meeting in October.

Contestants are evaluated based on the growth and financial progress of their operation, as well as their leadership within Farm Bureau and the community. Judges will be looking for evidence of outstanding management, operational growth, the scope of the enterprise and self-initiative demonstrated throughout the operation. Active participation in Farm Bureau and other organizations is vital.

The top three finalists are announced during the Young Farmers & Ranchers Leadership Conference in July, with the on-site Farm judging taking place in early August.

Winner of the State YF&R Achievement Award receives:

• $45,000 cash prize courtesy of Florida Farm Bureau Insurance Companies
• $500 Cash award
• An expense-paid trip to the American Farm Bureau Annual Convention, where they will represent Florida in the national YF&R competition

For more information about the Achievement in Agriculture Award, email [email protected].

Past Achievement in Agriculture recipients continued:

2022: Lee Bigham, Jackson County
2021: Kevin and Shelby Lussier, Alachua County
2020: Michael and Brooke Hill, Lake County
2019: Jake and Tiffany Sache, Levy County
2018: Adam and Ashley Cook, Gilchrist County
2017: Brittany Lee, Alachua County
2016: Doug and Deanne Carter, Suwannee County
2015: Trevor Bass, Alachua County
2014: Corey Lambert, Hardee County
2013: Jacob and Danielle Larson, Okeechobee County
2012: Josh and Amy Farley, Clay County
2011: Jason and Olivia DeVane, Polk County
2010: Stephen and Tracie Fulford, Jefferson County
2009: Jeb Smith, St. Johns County
2008: Larry and Jenny Black, Polk County
2007: Chris and Kelly Lyons, Lafayette County
2006: Steve and Andrea Johnson, Hardee County
2005: Brad and Shannon Etheridge, Levy County
2004: Jay and Spring Froelich, Putnam County
2003: William and Sarah Carte, Suwannee County
2002: Keith and Dodi Truenow, Lake County
2001: Rich and Lori Watson, Gilchrist County
2000: Paul and Reba Mazak, Sumter County
1999: Ron and Ginny Morgan, Suwannee County
1998: Brack and Kelly Jackson, Lafayette County
1997: Duke and Charlotte Emerson, Alachua County
1996: Mickey Diamond, Santa Rosa County
1995: Lance Ham, Hillsborough County
1994: Chalmers Carr, Madison County
1993: Will Putnam, Polk County
1992: Ed Henderson, Suwannee County
1991: John Hoblick, Volusia County
1990: Ron Skelton, Levy County
1989: Gary Parke, Hillsborough County
1988: John Larson, Okeechobee County
1987: Gary Cone, Hamilton County
1986: Gary Roberts, St. Lucie County
1985: Kenneth Dasher, Suwannee County
1984: Dale Sauls, Marion County
1983: Steve Basford, Jackson County
1982: Kevin Diller, Escambia County
1981: Ernie Nunez, Pasco County
1980: Woody Larson, Okeechobee County
1979: Francine Hancock, Pasco County
1978: John Burtscher, DeSoto County
1977: Robert Lindsey, Indian River County
1976: Russell Taylor, III, Alachua County
1975: Tommy Smith, Gadsden County
1974: Herbert E. Perry, Lafayette County
1973: Robert Nolan, Volusia County
1972: Ronald Bulter, Gadsden County
1971: Alvin Henderson, Madison County