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Written 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.

Outstanding Young Farm Family Contest

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.

Click here to view videos of the three OYFF finalists.

Excellence In Agriculture

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 works at Spruell Farms while Ali is 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.

Discussion Meet

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.

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.