November 2023
Bernie and Avery LeFils of Volusia County were awarded the state Excellence in Agriculture Award at the Florida Farm Bureau’s Annual Meeting in Orlando on Oct. 25.
This competition is open to farmer and rancher members between the ages of 18 and 35 who do not derive the majority of their income from an owned farm operation, but who actively contribute and grow through their involvement in agriculture, their leadership ability and participation in Farm Bureau and other organizations.
“We feel very humbled to receive this prestigious award and look forward to the opportunity to represent Florida Farm Bureau at the national level in a few months,” said Avery LeFils.
The couple received a utility vehicle courtesy of Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company, $500 cash and an expense-paid trip to the 2024 American Farm Bureau Annual Convention in Salt Lake City, Utah, Jan. 19-22, where they will represent Florida in the national competition.
Runners-up for the Excellence in Agriculture competition included Rebecca Hall of Alachua County and Jaime Jerrels of Levy County.