Young Farm Entrepreneurs Named State Finalists

July 20, 2018

Three finalists have been selected for Florida Farm Bureau’s 2018 Achievement in Agriculture Award and will compete in October for the top statewide honor at the Florida Farm Bureau Annual Meeting in St. Augustine Oct. 24-26, 2018.

This year’s finalists are Chance Clay (Putnam County), Adam & Ashley Cook (Gilchrist County) and Andrew Taylor (Walton 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 and participation 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 Michele Curts, Florida Farm Bureau leadership programs coordinator.  “Applicants share a passion for what they are doing and their role in helping provide the food and fiber for our nation.”

Each Achievement in Agriculture award finalist 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 2018 Florida Farm Bureau State Annual Meeting and will receive a new Ford F-150 pick-up, courtesy of Southern Farm Bureau Casualty Insurance Companies.

The recipient will also receive $500 cash and an all-expense paid trip to the 2019 American Farm Bureau Federation Annual Convention, scheduled for Jan. 11-16 in New Orleans, to represent Florida in the national competition.

The Finalists

Chance Clay is a cattle, timber and blueberry farmer in Putnam County.

Adam and Ashley Cook own Cook Farm in Gilchrist County. They grow squash, grass seed, corn and hay.

Taylor is a first-generation farmer and rancher. He raises beef cattle and grows oats, ryegrass, millet and hay. He also serves on the Walton County Farm Bureau board and operates Flying T&T Trucking, Inc