Here is a feature article from the Fall, 2006 Issue

Dodge sponsors GFB Young Farmer Contests

Georgia Farm Bureau Young farmers will reap prizes of nearly $10,000 at the annual Georgia Farm Bureau Convention set for December 3-5, on Jekyll Island.
Georgia Farm Bureau President Wayne Dollar (center) congratulates the four finalists who competed in the 2005 GFB Discussion Meet. Finalists, pictured left to right, were: Elton Baldy of Colquitt County, Peyton Sapp of Greene County, Will Boyd of Screven County and 2005 GFB Discussion Meet Winner Chris Paulk of Berrien County.

The GFB Young Farmer Achievement Award and the GFB Young Farmer Discussion Meet are open to all young farmer members between the ages of 18 and 35. Dodge, a long-time sponsor of the achievement award and the discussion meet will provide $500 cash for each state winner.

Applications for the GFB Young Farmer Achievement Award were judged this summer, and three finalists were selected. Finalists for the 2006 GFB Young Farmer Achievement Contest are Will Boyd, Screven County; Leighton and Brenda Cooley; Crawford County; and Phillip Merk, Jackson County. The contest winner will be announced during the GFB Awards program on Monday evening, December 5.

The GFB Young Farmer Achievement winner will receive $500 cash from Dodge, a year use of a Kubota Tractor and an expense paid trip to compete at the American Farm Bureau Convention in Salt Lake City, Jan. 7-10, 2007, for a 2007 Dodge Ram 3500 Mega Cab Laramie 4x4 truck.

The Discussion Meet will take place during the GFB Convention on Sunday and Monday, December 3 and 4. Topics to be discussed are:

• How can American agriculture increase the opportunities for new uses of traditional agricultural products?
• Due to the partisan nature of politics today, how do we influence policy that affects agriculture?
• What are the effects of animal ID on US agriculture?
• How do current land prices and profitability affect production agriculture?

Rules and details of the discussion meet are available at every county Farm Bureau office and from the GFB Field Services office (800.342.1192, ext. 5219). The deadline for entering the contest is November 3.

The discussion meet winner will win $500 from Dodge, an Arctic Cat 4 Wheeler, plus the opportunity to compete for a 2007 Dodge 2500 Quad Cab Laramie 4x4 truck at the Salt Lake City American Farm Bureau Convention.

Georgia Farm Bureau is committed to involving young farmer members. If additional information is desired, contact your local county Farm Bureau or contact the Field Services Department at the Georgia Farm Bureau home office in Macon.