July 6, 2016
Three finalists have been selected for Florida Farm Bureau’s 2016 Achievement in Agriculture Award and will compete in October for the top statewide honor at the Florida Farm Bureau Annual Meeting in Orlando.
This year’s finalists are Brittany Lee (Alachua County), Doug and DeAnne Carter (Suwannee County) and Kelly Mosley (Clay County).
The Achievement in Agriculture award recognizes members of Florida Farm Bureau’s Young Farmers and Ranchers program who excel in their involvement in agriculture, leadership abilities, involvement in Farm Bureau and other civic and service organizations. Applicants must be between the ages of 18 and 35. They may apply as individuals or as couples.
“We are very excited about announcing this year’s Achievement Award finalists, because they truly represent what is so great about Florida agriculture,” said Florida Farm Bureau leadership programs coordinator Elise Stoddard. “Each of the qualified applicants share a passion for what they are doing and their role in our state’s agriculture. Florida Farm Bureau is proud of all three finalists.”
The Achievement in Agriculture award finalists will undergo an on-site farm visit by a team of qualified judges as part of the final selection process.
The winner will be announced at the state annual meeting and will receive a brand new 2016 Chevrolet Silverado, courtesy of Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance. The recipient will also receive an all-expense paid trip to the 2017 American Farm Bureau Federation Annual Meeting, scheduled for Jan. 7-10, 2017 in Phoenix, Ariz., to represent Florida in the national competition.
The finalists
Lee is the vice president and farm manager of Florida Blue Farm, a Southern Highbush blueberry farm in Orange Heights.
The Carters own and operate Carter Farms, a beef cattle and poultry farm in McAlpin.
Mosley operates Amazing Grace Crop Maze, an agri-tourism destination designed to highlight farm life to the public.