Hundreds of farmers flocked to Gulf Shores over the weekend for the Alfa Young Farmers Conference.
“I love it! It’s awesome,” said Shelby Traylor, a conference attendee. “When they do the conference, one year they’ll do seminars, and one year they’ll do tours. You meet new people, and you can fellowship with new and old friends.”
The conference included an interview for finalists of the 2023 Outstanding Young Farm Family (OYFF) competition.
Out of eight divisions, the finalists are Drew and Lauren Wendland, wheat and feed grain farmers in Autauga County; Garrett and Robin Dixon, peanut farmers in Lee County; and Whit and Amanda Lovelady, hay and forage farmers from Talladega County.
The three families will now compete for $80,000 in prizes, including $40,000 towards a Ford truck from Alfa and a John Deere Gator from Alabama Ag Credit and Alabama Farm Credit.
Other families that won their divisions were:
· Beef — Tyler and Koryann Watt, Emelle, Sumter County
· Catfish — Heath and Christina Clary, Greensboro, Hale County
· Fruit & Vegetable — Seth and Kaylee Hubert, New Market, Madison County
· Poultry — Jacob and Misty Porter, Lineville, Clay County
· Soybean — Tommy and Lauren Murray, Russellville, Franklin County
The Young Farmers program helps develop leadership training and gives young families experience and networking opportunities.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email erica.thomas@1819news.com.
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