Texas Farm Bureau announces 2024 Excellence in Agriculture finalists
(WACO, Texas)—A passion for agriculture, community and family earned three agricultural professionals recognition in the 2024 Texas Farm Bureau (TFB) Excellence in Agriculture (EIA) contest.
The finalists in this year’s competition are Jacob and Laura Henson of Lingleville, Madalynn Kainer of Brenham and Jacob Spivey of Warren.
TFB’s EIA award recognizes young men and women ages 18 to 35 who are involved in agriculture but do not earn their primary income from a farm or ranch enterprise.
“These young men and women play a vital role in supporting Texas agriculture,” TFB President Russell Boening said. “Although they do not make their primary living on a farm or ranch, they serve the agricultural community and provide invaluable services. We appreciate their hard work and dedication.”
Jacob and Laura Henson
Jacob started a construction company last spring specializing in remodels and trim work. Laura is an adjunct instructor and research associate in agricultural business at Tarleton State University.
As an instructor, Laura uses her agricultural background to share her experiences and inspire the next generation of agricultural communicators to grow their understanding of farm and ranch practices, agriculture’s role in sustainability and the need to do more with less.
The couple are part owners in a commercial cattle herd and help operate Laura’s family’s farm, white-tailed deer ranch and silage harvesting business. Together, they run a small business marketing agency and a growing fruit and vegetable operation. They sell tomatoes, squash, peaches, blackberries, peppers and other fruits and vegetables at area farmers’ markets. They also offer canned goods made from their produce.
Laura serves as the faculty advisor for the Tarleton Collegiate Farm Bureau and has held leadership roles with the Erath County Farm Bureau board of directors. The Hensons attend TFB events throughout the year and previously served on the TFB Young Farmer & Rancher (YF&R) Advisory Committee.
They live in Lingleville with their daughter.
Madalynn Kainer
Madalynn Kainer is the assistant manager for the Washington County Fair.
She oversees livestock shows, auctions and marketing while supporting all fair activities, including event planning and volunteer management.
Kainer is involved in YF&R events and activities and serves on the TFB YF&R Advisory Committee. She won the 2018 TFB YF&R Discussion Meet and advanced to the Sweet 16 of the American Farm Bureau Federation’s (AFBF) contest. Kainer also participated in AFBF’s Women’s Communications Boot Camp and served as an AFBF representative at the Syngenta Leadership at its Best Program.
In addition to TFB activities, Kainer is the Membership Committee vice chair for the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.
Kainer grew up in South Texas on a row crop farm, but now resides in Brenham and is actively involved in her community.
Jacob Spivey
Jacob Spivey is an agricultural science teacher and FFA advisor at Warren High School.
He works with students on livestock and plant-based projects, leadership skills and trains teams for FFA competitions. Spivey helps students learn about the importance of agriculture and how to advocate for the industry.
Spivey is active in Farm Bureau at the county, state and national level. He serves as the secretary for Tyler County Farm Bureau and helps coordinate the county’s annual Ag Education Day. Spivey also served his local community as a director for the Chamber of Commerce, the hospital foundation board and school board.
Spivey and his wife, Melanie, have two daughters and live in Warren. His family is involved in timber production and raises Brahman cattle.
Contest details
The winner will be announced at the TFB Annual Meeting Dec. 6-8 in Round Rock.
The winner will receive a $15,000 member dealer voucher to be used at Ford, Case IH, Grasshopper, CAT or John Deere, courtesy of Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company, an engraved crystal award; and expense-paid trips to both the TFB Annual Meeting and (AFBF) Annual Convention.
The two runners-up will receive a $1,000 cash award, courtesy of Farm Bureau Bank; a $500 cash award, courtesy of Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company; and an expense-paid trip to the TFB Annual Meeting.
The winner will advance to compete in the national contest hosted by AFBF in January.
Information on the contest and TFB’s YF&R program can be found online at texasfarmbureau.org/YFR.
TFB Annual Meeting details
For more information about TFB’s 91st Annual Meeting, visit https://texasfarmbureau.org/annualmeeting.
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For high-resolution images of this year’s contestants, please click the name of the contestant below.