Texas Farm Bureau announces Outstanding Young Farmer & Rancher finalists

(WACO, Texas)— Three exceptional young farmers and ranchers from different areas of the Lone Star State have been selected as finalists in this year’s Texas Farm Bureau (TFB) Outstanding Young Farmer & Rancher (YF&R) competition.

Each year, the YF&R competition recognizes the accomplishments of some of the state’s top agricultural leaders between the ages of 18 and 35 and rewards them for their hard work and determination to succeed.

The 2014 Outstanding YF&R finalists are: Andy and Morgan Boyd of Lamesa; Cade and Jessica Richmond of De Leon; and Clint and Angela Rutledge of Prosper.

“We are proud of these couples and their families,” said TFB President Kenneth Dierschke. “They represent a bright future for Texas agriculture and the next generation of Texas Farm Bureau.”

The finalists were chosen from all 13 Texas Farm Bureau state districts with the top three advancing to the state competition. The winner will be named at the Texas Farm Bureau annual meeting in Corpus Christi Dec. 6-8.

The Boyds raise alfalfa, cotton, grain sorghum, wheat and Sudan on Boyd Farms near Lamesa. Andy is a partner in a cow-calf and yearling operation. He also offers custom combining, baling, swathing and cotton stripping. Morgan owns a small boutique inside a local gift shop. They serve on the TFB Young Farmer & Rancher Advisory Committee, and Andy is a member of the Dawson County Farm Bureau board of directors. The couple has two children: Jadyn and Kash.

The Richmonds raise cattle, hay and grains and own Cade Richmond Hay, Land and Cattle near De Leon. They also own and operate a rural real estate company. They serve on a number of county committees and Cade is on the Comanche County Farm Bureau board of directors. Jessica was named the winner of the 2012 TFB Discussion Meet competition. They have three children: Sterling, Jackson and Lillie.

The Rutledges grow wheat, corn, grain sorghum, soybeans, hay and beef cattle on Gidney Farms in McKinney. Clint is a hay seed dealer and offers custom hauling. The fifth-generation farmer also has his real estate license and provides bookkeeping, farm analysis and labor on the family farm. Angela is a full-time online teacher. Clint has served on numerous TFB committees and currently serves as president of the Grayson County Farm Bureau. The couple has two children: Karsyn and Rylan.

The winner of this year’s Outstanding Young Farmer & Rancher contest will take home: the title to a 2014 3/4 ton 4x4 Chevrolet pickup with a diesel engine, courtesy of Texas Farm Bureau Insurance Companies; a $5,000 cash award, courtesy of Farm Credit; 100 hours of use on a Case IH tractor from 60 HP-140 HP, courtesy of Case IH; $750 service voucher, courtesy of Chevrolet; and a plaque and belt buckle representative of the award.

The winner also will receive an expense-paid trip to represent Texas at the national competition during the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) annual meeting Jan. 11-14, 2015 in San Diego, Calif.

The two state runners-up and their spouses will receive: a new pair of Justin Boots, courtesy of Justin Brands, Inc.; $500 cash award, courtesy of Louis Dreyfus Commodities; a power tool valued at $200, courtesy of Grainger; and a plaque and belt buckle representative of the award.

All three finalists will receive an expense-paid trip (transportation, meals and lodging) to the TFB annual meeting Dec. 6-8 in Corpus Christi.