Sterling City couple named ‘outstanding’ ranchers by Texas Farm Bureau
(ROUND ROCK, Texas)—Faith and a love for the land has one couple building a strong agricultural legacy in West Texas.
Kade and Morgan Hodges were recognized by Texas Farm Bureau (TFB) for their land stewardship and commitment to agriculture. They were named the winners of TFB’s 2024 Outstanding Young Farmer & Rancher (YF&R) Award at the organization’s 91st Annual Meeting in Round Rock.
“Young farmers and ranchers like Kade and Morgan are building a strong future for agriculture and for Texas,” TFB President Russell Boening said. “Their shared passion and hard work are a testament of their commitment to agriculture. We are proud to recognize their dedication and efforts with this award.”
The couple raise sheep, goats and Angus-cross cattle on their ranch in Sterling City.
In addition, they own a feedlot where they formulate rations and mix feed to finish out a portion of their sheep and goats each year.
After facing a major challenge of losing leased land, the couple were determined to find a solution. Earlier this year, they started offering vegetation management to solar farms through targeted sheep grazing.
Together, they are preserving their family’s ranching legacy to pass down to their son, Weston.
Kade and Morgan are committed to the future of agriculture and use their education, experiences and passion to promote agriculture.
They both serve on the Coke-Sterling County Farm Bureau board of directors and are actively involved in YF&R events and activities at the county, state and national level. Morgan also serves as the vice chair on TFB’s YF&R Advisory Committee.
“This year’s contest highlighted some of the best young farmers and ranchers in Texas,” Boening said. “Each couple looks for ways to be innovative and diversify, while also caring for the land. We are proud of these young couples for their dedication to agriculture and involvement in Farm Bureau.”
State prizes
The Outstanding YF&R contest recognizes farmers and ranchers between the ages of 18 and 35 for their hard work and dedication to agriculture, Boening noted. To be eligible for the contest, young farmers and ranchers must be TFB members and earn the majority of their income from production agriculture.
As winners of the Outstanding YF&R contest, the Hodges’ will receive a $60,000 member-dealer voucher to be used at Ford, Case IH, Grasshopper, CAT or John Deere, courtesy of TFB Insurance Companies; and expense-paid trips to the TFB Annual Meeting and American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) Annual Convention in San Antonio.
The couple will go on to represent Texas in AFBF Achievement Award competition.
Other finalists in this year’s state contest include Colby and Ashley McClendon of Lavon and Layton and Jessi Schur of Plainview.
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.
National prizes
The winner of the national Achievement Award will receive a $35,000 credit toward a new Ford, courtesy of Ford Motor Company; and registration to the 2025 Farm Bureau FUSION Conference in Colorado.
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 a Case IH branded safe, courtesy of Case IH.
The fourth-place national finalist will receive a Case IH branded Solo Stove, courtesy of Case IH.
Contest information
Information on the contest and other young farmer and rancher activities can be found online at texasfarmbureau.org/YFR.