Young farmers, ranchers honored by Texas Farm Bureau
(WACO, Texas)—For their service to rural Texas and agriculture, Texas Farm Bureau (TFB) is recognizing three young farmers and ranchers as finalists in this year’s Outstanding Young Farmer & Rancher (YF&R) competition.
Each year, TFB recognizes the accomplishments of some of the state’s top agricultural leaders between the ages of 18 and 35 through the YF&R contest.
The 2016 Outstanding YF&R finalists are: Layne and Jamie Chapman of Vernon; Marcus and Amy Halfmann of Garden City; and Matt and Jessica Hanslik of Hallettsville.
“Farm families like the Chapmans, Halfmanns and Hansliks represent a bright future for Texas agriculture and the next generation of Texas Farm Bureau,” TFB President Russell Boening said. “They care for the land, their families and their communities. They look for ways to be innovative, and we’re honored to recognize them for their dedication to Texas agriculture.”
Finalists are chosen from each of TFB’s 13 districts. The Chapmans, Halfmanns and Hansliks were chosen as finalists from that group.
A panel of volunteer judges visited each of their farms. The state winner will be named at TFB’s Annual Meeting, Dec. 3-5, in San Antonio.
Layne and Jamie Chapman grow irrigated and dryland cotton, corn and wheat on the Northern Rolling Plains. They also run stockers on their wheat pasture to help offset the volatility of the grain market. Layne uses no-till farming techniques and has implemented drip irrigation. Jamie also owns Pepperberries, a gift shop in downtown Vernon. The couple has one son, Jaxon.
Marcus and Amy Halfmann grow cotton, wheat and hay in Midland County. They also raise cattle, and Marcus has a custom farm business and uses cotton burrs, or gin trash, to create his own compost. Amy is a dietitian and consults with individuals, as well as local nursing homes and a head start program. The Halfmanns have a son, Byler; daughter, Blakley; and they are expecting a third child next year.
Matt and Jessica Hanslik have a cow-calf operation and raise purebred Charolais bulls. They are part owners of an all-natural fertilizer company, grow corn and hay and also raise cattle through a family partnership. The fertilizer company recycles dry poultry litter from a shell egg facility and provides custom application for farms and ranches. Jessica is a regional sales manager for a local shell egg producer. The couple has one daughter, Blakely.
The winner of this year’s Outstanding YF&R contest will take home: the title to a 2017 4x4 Chevrolet pickup truck with a diesel engine, courtesy of Texas Farm Bureau Insurance Companies; use of a Case IH Farmall series tractor for one year, courtesy of Case IH; a $5,000 cash award, courtesy of Farm Credit; and a $750 service voucher, courtesy of Chevrolet.
The two runners-up will receive: a $500 cash award, courtesy of Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company; a new pair of Justin Boots, courtesy of Justin Brands, Inc.; and a power tool, courtesy of Grainger.
All three finalists will receive an expense-paid trip to the TFB Annual Meeting, Dec. 3-5, in San Antonio.
The state winner will also represent Texas in the Achievement Award competition at the American Farm Bureau Federation annual meeting in Phoenix, Ariz. in January.
For high-resolution images of this year’s contestants, please click on the name of the contestant below.
For broadcast quality, HD video of the candidates, please email requests to Ed Wolff at ewolff@txfb.org.