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Since 1969, Indiana Farm Bureau has honored members ages 18-35 who exemplify the best of Indiana agriculture.

John and Abby Michel of Gibson County are the 2020 winners of the Young Farmers & Ag Professionals Excellence in Agriculture Award, which recognizes outstanding young members who do not derive the majority of their income from a production-agriculture operation that they own.

The Michels are partners in their family’s multigenerational farm. John, who has a bachelor’s degree in ag systems management, assists with planting and harvest and manages the chemical and fertility programs and farm technology systems. He also works full time as an operations manager at AgriSelect.

Abby, who has a master’s degree in youth development and ag education, supports all farm operations and can often be found moving equipment and delivering parts.

Kyle and Leah Musselman of Miami County won the YF&AP Achievement Award, presented to young Farm Bureau members who earn the majority of their income from production agriculture.

The Musselmans work on their family’s diversified farm, which produces corn, soybeans, wheat, hogs and sweet corn. They also operate a custom farming business that assists other farmers in their community and run a seed dealership.

The couple met at Purdue, where Kyle earned a bachelor’s degree in ag systems management and Leah a bachelor’s degree in ag economics-sales and marketing.

Winners of the Excellence in Agriculture award receive a John Deere Gator (courtesy of Farm Credit Services) and a $3,000 cash prize (courtesy of Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance). The Achievement Award winners receive a $6,000 cash prize (courtesy of Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance) and 250 hours of free use of one M-Series tractor (courtesy of Kubota Tractor Corporation). The winners also receive the David L. Leising Memorial Award.

Both families will be recognized in December during INFB’s annual convention and will represent Indiana in the Young Farmers & Ranchers contests held in January during the American Farm Bureau Federation’s convention.

Runners-up in both contests receive a $1,000 cash prize (courtesy of Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance).

Learn more about this year’s winners at www.infb.org/news/news-releases, where you can read the news release that announces the contest results and also find links to videos highlighting the winners.