Forestburg couple wins Texas Farm Bureau Excellence in Agriculture contest
(ARLINGTON, Texas)—A passion for serving others and strengthening the connection between consumers and agriculture earned Ryan and Madilyn Yeatts recognition as the winners of the 2025 Texas Farm Bureau (TFB) Excellence in Agriculture competition.
Ryan works as an operations analyst for Standard Meat Company, a custom meat portioner supplying restaurants, fast food chains and meal kit providers across the country. His role combines financial analytics with creative ideation, involving tasks from pricing and profitability to steak cutting and recipe development.
“God has called me to this role. I have a unique opportunity to speak directly to the end consumer, telling the story of agriculture,” he said. “At the end of the day, we’re not just producing food, we’re part of someone’s experience when they sit down to share a meal.”
Madilyn brings that same heart for service to her role with D&L Farm and Home, where she works as an equine and outside sales specialist. Her days are often spent on farm calls across North Texas and into Oklahoma, advising trainers, breeders and ranchers on nutrition programs.
“Texas Farm Bureau is proud to recognize Ryan and Madilyn for their accomplishments,” TFB President Russell Boening said. “The Yeatts are a wonderful example of how folks can be involved in agriculture even if they are not solely farming or ranching, using their professional skills to strengthen our industry and inspire others along the way.”
Together, the couple raise commercial Royal White hair sheep for meat production on their 32-acre farm, tend a large garden to sell at farmers markets and are expanding their pecan and peach orchards.
The Yeatts are active in both county and state Young Farmer & Rancher (YF&R) events and county Farm Bureau activities. Ryan serves as the vice chair on TFB’s YF&R Advisory Committee and as the Youth and YF&R chair for Montague County Farm Bureau. The couple is also active in their church and serve as worship leaders.
“Passionate young leaders like Ryan and Madilyn are vital to the continued success of Texas agriculture,” Boening said. “As advocates, innovators and community leaders, they’re helping ensure agriculture remains strong for generations to come.”
State prizes
As the winners of the Excellence in Agriculture contest, the couple will receive a $15,000 member-dealer voucher to be used at Ford, Case IH, Grasshopper, CAT or John Deere, courtesy of South Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company; an engraved crystal award; and expense-paid trips to both the TFB Annual Meeting and American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) Convention.
Other finalists in this year’s competition included Jacob and Laura Henson of Lingleville and Sarah Roderick of El Paso.
The two runners-up will receive a $500 cash award, courtesy of Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company; and an expense-paid trip to the TFB Annual Meeting.
The Yeatts will go on to represent Texas at the national AFBF competition in January.
National prizes
The winner of the national Excellence in Agriculture award will receive a $35,000 credit toward a new Ford vehicle and paid registration to the Farm Bureau FUSION Conference, courtesy of Ford Motor Company.
The national runner-up will receive a $25,000 credit toward a new piece of equipment from Case IH, courtesy of Case IH.
Third place in the national competition will receive a $2,500 Investing in Your Future cash prize, courtesy of AmericanAg; and $2,500 worth of Stanley Black & Decker merchandise, courtesy of Stanley Black & Decker; and Case IH merchandise, courtesy of Case IH.
The fourth-place national finalist will receive a Case IH merchandise, courtesy of Case IH.
Contest information
Information on TFB’s Excellence in Agriculture contest and other young farmer and rancher activities can be found online at texasfarmbureau.org/YFR.