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Posted on Dec 5, 2021 in Featured, News Releases

Williamson County couple named ‘outstanding’ ranchers by Texas Farm Bureau

Williamson County couple named ‘outstanding’ ranchers by Texas Farm Bureau

 

(CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas)—Passion, drive and dedication have earned one Williamson County couple recognition from Texas Farm Bureau (TFB). Travis and Kaylin Isbell were named the winners of TFB’s 2021 Outstanding Young Farmer & Rancher (YF&R) Award at the organization’s 88th Annual Meeting in Corpus Christi today.

“In agriculture, you need perseverance and dedication. Travis and Kaylin have that and so much more,” TFB President Russell Boening said. “Although they’ve faced challenging markets and urban sprawl, this young couple is determined to keep growing their future in agriculture, and their efforts were rewarded in our contest.”

The Isbells raise commercial cattle, stocker cattle and Dorper sheep on their ranch outside of Florence.

They grow grass hay and winter oats and have a custom hay business.

They implement no-till farming practices, along with the use of cover crops, to increase plant diversity and organic matter. They also use rotational grazing to help maximize their pastureland.

In addition to their own ranch, Travis manages two other local ranches, and Kaylin is a part-time farm and ranch real estate agent.

Together, they’re raising a family and cultivating a life on the ranch. It can be tough to manage it all, but their two children—Trigg and Kyndall—are the reasons Travis and Kaylin keep going, even when things get tough. And a passion for agriculture is already taking root for the kids.

The couple is also active in Williamson County Farm Bureau. Travis serves on the board of directors and is the county’s YF&R chair.

They also represent District 8 on the TFB YF&R Advisory Committee, and Kaylin serves as the chair. They attend YF&R events and other Farm Bureau activities at the county, state and national level.

“This year’s contest highlighted some of the best young farmers and ranchers in our state,” Boening said. “Each couple looks for ways to be innovative and diversify to continue making a living from the land, while also caring for the natural resources entrusted to them. We are proud of these young couples for their work in agriculture and involvement in Farm Bureau.”

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 Isbells will receive the title to a ¾ ton diesel Ford pickup, courtesy of Texas Farm Bureau Insurance Companies, and a $5,000 cash award, courtesy of Farm Credit.

Other finalists in this year’s competition include Travis and Bethany Wanoreck of Nueces County and Austen and Rachel White of Wilbarger County.

The two runners-up will receive a $500 cash award, courtesy of Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company.

As winners of the Outstanding YF&R contest, the Isbells will represent Texas in the American Farm Bureau Federation’s Achievement Award competition.

The winner of the national award will receive a new Ford vehicle up to a value of $35,000 and paid registration to the Farm Bureau YF&R Conference in Louisville, Kentucky, courtesy of Ford.

The national runner-up will receive a Case IH Farmall 50A tractor, courtesy of Case IH.

Third place in the national competition will receive a Case IH 40” Combination Roll Cabinet & Top Chest and a $500 Case IH parts card, courtesy of Case IH; a $2,500 Investing in Your Future cash prize, courtesy of American Agricultural Insurance Company; and $1,850 worth of Stanley Black & Decker merchandise, courtesy of Stanley Black & Decker.

Fourth place in the national contest will receive a Case IH 40” Combination Roll Cabinet & Top Chest and a $500 Case IH parts card, courtesy of Case IH.

Information on the contest and other young farmer and rancher activities can be found online at texasfarmbureau.org/YFR.

Travis and Kaylin Isbell are the winners of the 2021 Texas Farm Bureau Outstanding Young Farmer & Rancher contest at the organization’s 88th annual meeting in Corpus Christi.

 

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