Young Farmers Capture Contest Victories in Capital City

By Tanner Hood

A top crop of young farmers walked away victorious during contests at the Alabama Farmers Federation Farm & Land Conference Aug. 3 in Montgomery.

Competitors from Talladega and Colbert counties were awarded Outstanding Young Farm Family (OYFF) and Excellence in Agriculture wins, respectively, while four Discussion Meet finalists were announced.

Whit and Amanda Lovelady from Talladega County were named Alabama's OYFF. The Loveladys raise cattle and hay with their children Annagrace and John Luke.

As the OYFF, they will receive over $70,000 in prizes including $40,000 toward a new Ford truck compliments of Alfa Insurance; a John Deere 835M Gator sponsored by Alabama Ag Credit and Alabama Farm Credit; and a year's lease on a John Deere tractor courtesy of John Deere, SunSouth and TriGreen.

First and second runners-up in the OYFF contest will receive prize packages from Kubota and Corteva Agriscience, respectively.

Garrett and Robin Dixon of Lee County were named first runner-up. They raise row crops with their children Chandler Jane and Cash. They will receive use of a Kubota M series tractor courtesy of Kubota.

Drew and Lauren Wendland of Autauga County were named second runner-up and earned a custom chemical package from Corteva. The Wendlands raise row crops and hay and have three children, Mills, Smith and Rhett.

Additionally, the Dixons and Wendlands will receive $500 from perennial sponsors Alabama Ag Credit and Alabama Farm Credit.

Interviews in February were followed by judges' visits to each family farm in June to select the OYFF. Families are judged on the growth and diversity of their operations along with community involvement and Federation and American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) leadership. OYFF competitors must receive over half their income from farming.

Garrett and Robin Dixon of Lee County were named first runner-up in Alabama's Outstanding Young Farm Family (OYFF) contest Aug. 3. They were recognized during the Alabama Farmers Federation Farm & Land Conference in Montgomery. The Dixons raise row crops in Salem. They have two children - Chandler Jane and Cash. As first runner-up, they'll receive a 250-hour lease on a Kubota tractor, courtesy of Kubota, and $500 from Alabama Farm Credit. From left are Federation President Jimmy Parnell, the Dixons and Federation Young Farmers Division Director Hunter McBrayer.Drew and Lauren Wendland of Autauga County were named second runner-up in the Alabama's Outstanding Young Farm Family (OYFF) contest Aug. 3. They were recognized during the Alabama Farmers Federation Farm & Land Conference in Montgomery. The Wendlands raise row crops and hay in Autaugaville. They have three children - Mills, Smith and Rhett. As second runner-up, they'll receive a custom chemical package from Corteva Agriscience and $500 from Alabama Ag Credit. From left are Federation President Jimmy Parnell, the Wendlands and Federation Young Farmers Division Director Hunter McBrayer.

Excellence in Agriculture winners Will and Ali Gotcher of Colbert County competed against 11 contestants and will receive a zero-turn Grasshopper lawn mower sponsored by Corteva Agriscience. This event allows participants to showcase agriculture's role in their lives and present solutions to major industry hurdles. Will is a loan officer at Alabama Farm Credit while Ali works as a regional Alabama Extension agent.

First runner-up was Caleb Beason of Franklin County, with Josh and Bailey Williams of Tallapoosa County as second runner-up.

Will and Ali Gotcher of Colbert County won the Alabama Farmers Federation Excellence in Agriculture contest Aug. 3. They were recognized during the Federation Farm & Land Conference in Montgomery.
Will works as a loan officer for Alabama Farm Credit, and Ali is a regional Extension agent. The Gotchers live in Muscle Shoals. The Excellence in Agriculture contest is for members who are 18 to 35 years old and receive most of their income off farm. From left are Federation President Jimmy Parnell, the Gotchers and Federation Young Farmers Division Director Hunter McBrayer.Caleb Beason of Franklin County was named first runner-up in the Alabama Farmers Federation Excellence in Agriculture contest Aug. 3. He was recognized during the Federation Farm & Land Conference in Montgomery. Beason is an ag teacher and lives in Russellville. From left are Federation President Jimmy Parnell, Beason and Federation Young Farmers Division Director Hunter McBrayer.Josh and Bailey Williams of Tallapoosa County were named second runner-up in the Alabama Farmers Federation Excellence in Agriculture contest Aug. 3. They were recognized during the Federation Farm & Land Conference in Montgomery. Josh is the Career Technical Education coordinator for Alexander City Schools, and Bailey is a speech language pathologist. They live in Eclectic. From left are Federation President Jimmy Parnell, the Williamses and Federation Young Farmers Division Director Hunter McBrayer.

Twenty-three young farmers competed in the Discussion Meet, which simulates a committee meeting where participants discuss solutions to agricultural issues. The four finalists are Will Meadows of Houston County; Erin Tolleson of Marshall County; Levi Noles of Randolph County; and Chase Hammock of Talladega County.

Four finalists were named in the Alabama Farmers Federation Discussion Meet contest Aug. 3. They were recognized during the Federation Farm & Land Conference in Montgomery and will compete for the state title in December. From left are Will Meadows, Houston County; Erin Tolleson, Marshall County; Levi Noles, Randolph County; and Chase Hammock, Talladega County.

The Final Four will compete during the Federation's annual meeting in December. The winner will receive a four-wheeler from First South Farm Credit.

All finalists received a custom Young Farmers of Alabama Yeti cooler, compliments of the Federation. Winners will represent Alabama during the AFBF national competition in San Antonio, Texas, in January 2025.

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