Jan. 18, 2013
Gainesville – Josh and Amy Farley, cattle ranchers from Green Cove Springs, represented Florida in the national Young Farmers & Ranchers Achievement in Agriculture Award Program competition at the American Farm Bureau’s annual meeting in Nashville. The couple advanced to the top 10 finalist round of the competition.
“I am extremely proud of Josh and Amy,” said Florida Farm Bureau President John Hoblick. “This dynamic duo is setting the bar for our industry. Their leadership and commitment to agriculture is a shining example of how young people can truly make a difference in the future of agriculture.”
The American Farm Bureau Federation Achievement in Agriculture Award Program is designed to recognize those Young Farmers & Ranchers who have excelled in their farming/ranching operations and honed their leadership abilities to superiority.
The contestants were evaluated by a team of judges on a combination of their farm operation and growth, the financial progress of operation, Farm Bureau Leadership, as well as leadership outside of Farm Bureau. Judges also looked for excellence in management of the enterprise and self-initiative.
Josh and Amy Farley progressed to the national competition after winning the state Young Farmers and Ranchers Achievement in Agriculture competition at the Florida Farm Bureau annual meeting in October of 2012.
The couple began their own cattle operation in 1995 with 25 head of cattle. The family now owns 1,060 head of cattle. Both are actively involved in the Clay County Farm Bureau. Josh Farley serves on the board of directors, is a committee chair of the county organization’s Young Farmers and Ranchers Committee and is a member of the Farm City Legislative Committee. Amy Farley serves as a member of the county Farm Bureau’s Women’s Committee.