Stay Informed

The recent Indiana Farm Bureau Young Farmers & Ag Professionals Conference again this year offered an opportunity for education and networking for INFB members under the age of 40.

Alongside keynote and breakout sessions, several INFB members and county YF&AP programs were honored for their accomplishments in 2021.

Kosciusko County was recognized with the award for outstanding county Young Farmers & Ag Professionals program, which is given to the top-scoring program in the state. Jasper and Whitley counties were the runners-up.

Kosciusko County Farm Bureau will receive $1,000 to create a new YF&AP program/event or improve an existing program, while the runners-up will each receive $500.

Many of Kosciusko County’s YF&AP programs for 2021 took place at their county fair and during the holiday season.

“This year, we organized a children’s pedal pull event at our county fair where kids pedal little tractors for prizes, which got a lot of families involved,” said Travis Adams, Kosciusko County YF&AP chair. “We also organized a food donation matching program during the holidays and donated needed winter items, like clothes and boots, to local families in the area.”

“We are honored to win this award,” noted Adams. “We plan to use the winnings to create programs to get even more young farmers involved and help wherever we can in the community.”

Clinton County Farm Bureau (chaired by Lyle Burkhalter) was recognized as the most improved county YF&AP program. This award is based on a comparison of activities over the past two years and how the activities and programs of that county’s YF&AP program have improved.

Hancock County (chaired by Danielle Hunt) and Whitley County (chaired by Cari Juillerat) were the recipients of the Awakening Award, which encourages growth and momentum with new and developing county young farmer programs. Programs that are new or have not applied for the contest in the last three years are eligible.

County YF&AP programs also were recognized for their contributions to Feeding America, a nonprofit with a nationwide network of more than 200 food banks that feed more than 46 million people through food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters and more:

• Jasper County for most food donated (3,500 pounds).
• Kosciusko and Jasper counties for most money donated ($1,000).
• Clinton County for most volunteer hours (100).

In addition, a new state YF&AP chair, vice chair and secretary took office at the conference. Allen Bedel of Decatur County will serve as chair for 2022, Mark Wenning of Henry County will serve as vice chair and Jessica Wenning of Henry County will serve as secretary. The committee also welcomed the following district YF&AP leaders to serve a two-year term:

• District 1: Katelyn and Kent Burton, Fulton County.
• District 3: Hannah and Lyle Burkhalter, Clinton County.
• District 5: Allison Hession, Hendricks County.
• District 7: Madison and Brooks Weszely, Sullivan County.
• District 9: Kyla and Isaac Schroeder, Posey County.

For more information on the program, visit INFB’s website.