Lainey Francisco of St. Lucie County was awarded first place in the Young Farmers & Ranchers Discussion Meet competition. The award was presented at the Florida Farm Bureau’s 85th State Annual Meeting on Oct. 28.
The competition is evaluated on a constructive exchange of ideas and information on predetermined questions. Other finalists for the statewide competition were Carly Barnes of Jackson County, Kyle Mendes of Alachua County and Wesley Thomas of Union County.
Francisco is an attorney with Jones Foster whose practice focuses on land use, local government, real estate and business litigation. She represents ranchers, growers and agricultural landowners in matters involving property rights, contracts, land leases and zoning issues. Francisco and her husband, Evan, are members of Florida Farm Bureau Federation’s Young Farmers & Ranchers Leadership Class 11, representing District 7. A lifelong resident of St. Lucie County, she is a graduate of the University of Florida Levin College of Law.
“I’m thankful for this opportunity and proud to represent Florida’s Young Farmers and Ranchers,” Francisco said. “Our conversations on rural energy and farmland protection, rural veterinary care, local meat processing, youth engagement in agriculture and agricultural science reflect real challenges facing farmers and ranchers in my community and across our state. I learned a great deal from my fellow competitors, and I’m grateful to Florida Farm Bureau for giving young people a place to work on these issues together.”
Francisco received a utility vehicle courtesy of Southern Farm Bureau Casualty Insurance Company, $500 in cash and an expense-paid trip to the 2027 American Farm Bureau Convention in Charlotte, N.C. in January where she will represent Florida in the national Young Farmers & Ranchers Discussion Meet competition.
