Texas Farm Bureau names 2024 outstanding young farmers, ranchers
(WACO, Texas)—Young farmers and ranchers are cultivating a bright future for agriculture and for Texas. This year’s Outstanding Young Farmer and Rancher (YF&R) finalists recognized by Texas Farm Bureau (TFB) share a drive, dedication and passion for agriculture.
Each year, TFB’s Outstanding YF&R competition recognizes the accomplishments of some of the state’s top agricultural leaders between ages of 18 and 35 and rewards them for their hard work, commitment and determination.
The 2024 Outstanding YF&R finalists are Kade and Morgan Hodges of Sterling City, Colby and Ashley McClendon of Lavon and Layton and Jessi Schur of Plainview.
“We are proud of these young farmers and ranchers who embody a bright future for Texas agriculture and the next generation of Texas Farm Bureau leaders,” TFB President Russell Boening said. “The price of land, along with costs of inputs and equipment, continue to increase, but these couples look for ways to be innovative and diversify their farms and ranches. We are honored to recognize them for their dedication to Texas agriculture.”
Kade and Morgan Hodges
Kade and Morgan Hodges raise Royal White sheep, goats and Angus-cross cattle. They formulate rations and mix feed for their feedlot where they finish out a portion of their sheep and goats each year. The couple also offer vegetation management to solar farms using targeted sheep grazing.
Kade is a sixth-generation rancher whose family has been ranching in the same area since 1889. Morgan was also raised in a family deeply rooted in agriculture. Together, the couple implement sustainable management practices, such as rotational grazing, on their ranch.
They 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 the TFB YF&R Advisory Committee.
Kade and Morgan are a part of several commodity organizations and active members of their church.
They live in Sterling City with their son.
Colby and Ashley McClendon
Colby and Ashley McClendon have an extensive row-crop operation, growing wheat, oats, sorghum, soybeans, corn, cover crops and custom hay baling. They also raise Angus and Hereford cattle and sell their beef through their meat market located on the farm.
Colby is the sixth generation to operate his family farm in Collin County and does custom harvesting and planting in the area. Ashley is an elementary teacher who integrates agricultural education in her classroom.
The couple are active in YF&R events and activities. Colby is on the TFB YF&R Advisory Committee and serves on the Collin County Farm Bureau board of directors. He is also on the TFB Feed Grains & Oilseeds Advisory Committee.
The McClendons are active in their community and sponsor awards for their local FFA chapter.
They live in Lavon with their two children.
Layton and Jessi Schur
Layton and Jessi Schur have a direct-to-consumer retail store in Hale County, providing their community with fresh produce and beef from their farm. They grow over 40 different vegetable varieties on their 22-acre market garden and raise Limousin cattle.
Layton also grows sorghum and cotton on the same land his grandfather bought in 1956. Jessi was an elementary math teacher before the couple started their retail store, which she now manages. Together, the couple run their business and are dedicated to improving and expanding their operation.
The Schurs are active in both state YF&R events and county Farm Bureau activities, as well as their church where Layton served as a head elder and now head trustee.
They live in Plainview with their daughter.
Contest details
The winner will be announced at the TFB Annual Meeting Dec. 6-8 in Round Rock.
The winner will receive a $60,000 member dealer voucher to be used at Ford, Case IH, Grasshopper, CAT or John Deere, courtesy of Texas Farm Bureau Insurance Companies; and expense-paid trips to the TFB Annual Meeting and American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) Annual Convention.
Two runners-up will receive $500 cash award, courtesy of Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company; and an expense-paid trip to the TFB Annual Meeting.
The state winner will advance to compete in the national contest hosted by AFBF.
Information on the contest and TFB’s YF&R program can be found online at texasfarmbureau.org/YFR.
TFB Annual Meeting
For more information about TFB’s 91st Annual Meeting, visit texasfarmbureau.org/annualmeeting.
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For high-resolution images of this year’s contestants, please click the name of the contestant below.