COLUMBIA, S.C. — More than 300 young farmers and ranchers met in Columbia recently for the annual South Carolina Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmers and Ranchers Conference to network, become better leaders in their communities and learn how to tell the story of agriculture so consumers know where their food and fiber comes from.
Conference attendees had the opportunity to listen to a wide variety of speakers on topics addressing all aspects of agriculture—everything from technology and market opportunities to hemp, food safety, animal agriculture and sustainability.
Amanda Croft was elected as the 2019 SCFB Young Farmers and Ranchers Chair. Croft, a farmer in Bamberg County, takes on this role following the leadership of last year’s chair Case Chumley, of Greenville County.
“Case has shown great leadership during his tenure as Young Farmer and Rancher chair,” said SCFB President Harry Ott. “He has been a true leader and a great voice for agriculture. He has selflessly put in many volunteer hours for the work of this organization during his term as chair. We are thankful for his efforts and look forward to the guidance and knowledge of our newly elected chair, Amanda Croft.”
Chris and Alisha Stevens, of Horry-Loris Farm Bureau, won the 2019 Young Farmers and Ranchers Excellence in Agriculture Award. The competition consists of a written application and an oral presentation in front of a panel of judges. The couple won a brand new ATV, helmet and gloves, courtesy of Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company. They will also receive an expense-paid trip to the 2019 American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) FUSION conference in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and an expense-paid trip to compete at the 2020 AFBF annual meeting in Austin, Texas.
The Excellence in Agriculture Award recognizes young farmers and ranchers who do not derive the majority of their income from an owned agricultural operation, but who actively contribute and grow through their involvement in agriculture, their leadership ability and participation in Farm Bureau and other organizations.
Dean and Sara Hutto, of Orangeburg County Farm Bureau, won the 2019 Young Farmers and Ranchers Achievement Award. The couple was awarded $1,000 and a new Ford truck—both courtesy of Southern Farm Bureau Casualty Insurance Company. They will also receive an expense-paid trip to the 2019 American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) FUSION conference in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and an expense-paid trip to compete at the 2020 AFBF annual meeting in Austin, Texas.
The Achievement Award recognizes young farmers and ranchers who derive the majority of their income from an owned agricultural operation and have excelled in their farming or ranching operations while exhibiting superior leadership abilities. Participants are evaluated on a combination of their agricultural operation’s growth and financial progress, Farm Bureau leadership and leadership outside of Farm Bureau.
Darlington County Farm Bureau Chapter received the award for the Largest County Delegation, boasting 19 young farmers and ranchers in attendance at the conference.
The Harvest for All winners were also announced. Charleston County won, donating 6,700 pounds of fresh produce to Low Country Food Bank. Anderson County was named runner-up and Darlington County received the award for most innovative.
“Our Young Farmers and Ranchers program continues to grow as an increasing number of young people are becoming interested in agriculture,” said Jessica Cabrera, the SCFB Young Farmers and Ranchers Coordinator and Director of Organizational Training and Leadership Development. “Our goals is to have attendees really recognize the value of Farm Bureau Federation and its mission to promote agricultural interests in South Carolina.”
–S.C. Farm Bureau Federation