MADISON, Wis. — Kelly Oudenhoven was selected as the winner of the Wisconsin Farm Bureau’s Young Farmer and Agriculturist Farming for the Future Award at the organization’s 103rd Annual Meeting on Dec. 4.
Kelly is co-owner and herd manager of Larrand Dairy in Outagamie County. Kelly and her husband Keith are the fourth generation to carry on the legacy of their family farm where they milk 450 Holsteins and farm 950 acres. Together, they have four children, Josie, Jack, Allison and Clayton. Recently, Kelly opened a farm store, Larrand Specialty Farm Products, and sells direct to consumers.
“This contest recognizes Young Farmer and Agriculturist members who excel in their farming, leadership ability and involvement in Farm Bureau and other agriculture organizations,” said WFBF President Kevin Krentz. “Kelly is an outstanding advocate for agriculture.”
The Farming for the Future Award is presented to a Farm Bureau member between the ages of 18 and 35 who has derived a majority of his or her income from on-farm production.
Kelly is on the Outagamie County Farm Bureau board of directors and serves as the Ag in the Classroom coordinator and Promotion and Education chair.
She will receive $1,500 courtesy of GROWMARK, Inc., the opportunity to attend the 2023 AFBF FUSION Conference in Jacksonville, Florida, is eligible to participate in the 2023 YFA Washington, D.C., Fly-In and be a guest of WFBF at the 2023 YFA Conference.
Other participants included: Dustin and Ashley Ellis of Buffalo County; Heather Erdman of Eau Claire County and Stephanie Abts of Manitowoc County.
The Wisconsin Farm Bureau Foundation co-sponsors this award with GROWMARK, Inc., and Rural Mutual Insurance Company. This is a new Wisconsin Farm Bureau award replacing the Achievement Award competition.
Hoffman wins New Outstanding Agriculture Professional Award
Christa Hoffman was selected as the winner of the Wisconsin Farm Bureau’s Young Farmer and Agriculturist Outstanding Agriculture Professional Award.
Christa is a business development administrator at URUS. She manages grant-funded projects focused on improving cattle management practices on farms in emerging markets. Working for a global cattle genetics company, her primary focus is establishing new commercial markets while providing access to artificial insemination to make long-term impacts on production and profitability of farms. Christa and her husband Brad raise two young children on the family’s dairy farm in Gresham.
“This contest recognizes Young Farmer and Agriculturist members going above and beyond for agriculture and within their communities,” said WFBF President Kevin Krentz. “Christa is a shining example of the impact Farm Bureau members have in rural areas.”
The Outstanding Agriculture Professional Award is presented to a Farm Bureau member between the ages of 18 and 35 who has not derived a majority of his or her income from a farm for the past three years. Examples of occupations of ideal applicants include agricultural education instructor, fertilizer salesperson, veterinarian, farm employee, journalist or marketer.
Christa serves on the Shawano County Farm Bureau board of directors and is the co-chair for Brunch on the Farm.
She will receive $1,500 courtesy of GROWMARK, Inc., the opportunity to attend the 2023 AFBF FUSION Conference in Jacksonville, Florida, and is eligible to participate in the 2023 YFA Washington, D.C., Fly-In.
Other participants included: Amy Silver of Green County; Julie Wadzinski of Barron County and Julie Sweney of Dodge County.
The Wisconsin Farm Bureau Foundation co-sponsors this contest with GROWMARK, Inc., and Rural Mutual Insurance Company. This is a new Wisconsin Farm Bureau award replacing the Excellence in Ag competition.
— Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation