Oklahoma Farm Bureau members ages 18 to 35 have the opportunity to participate in a variety of OKFB Young Farmers and Ranchers competitive events during the organization’s annual meeting Nov. 5-7.
Applications for the YF&R competitive events, which include the Achievement Award, the Excellence in Agriculture Award, the Discussion Meet, the High School Discussion Meet and the Charles Roff Award can be found on the applications center page on the OKFB website.
All awards will be presented during the convention awards ceremony on Saturday, Nov. 6.
Achievement Award
The Achievement Award recognizes OKFB’s top young farm and ranch family or individual actively engaged in production agriculture. The award is judged on involvement in the community and Farm Bureau as well as the quality of the contestants’ farming operation and leadership activities. Applicants complete an application, which is judged by an independent committee. The winner will be awarded a John Deere Gator XUV560E, a crossover utility vehicle.
Excellence in Agriculture Award
The Excellence in Agriculture Award recognizes YF&R members who do not earn the majority of their income from their own farm or ranch, but still actively contribute to agriculture and grow through involvement in Farm Bureau. Applicants complete an application for the award and give a presentation on their agricultural and community involvement at OKFB’s annual meeting in Norman on Friday, Nov. 5. The winner will be awarded a Can-Am Outlander 450 ATV.
Discussion Meet and High School Discussion Meet
The Discussion Meet is a panel-type forum that provides contestants an opportunity to hone their ability to discuss top agriculture issues in a meeting-style format. Participants attempt to influence each other by posing and answering questions with the goal of reaching a solution to a stated agricultural problem. All participants must fill out the online form on the application center page on OKFB’s website before Oct. 29.
Limited to 20 participants, the high school discussion meet takes place on Thursday, Nov. 4, starting with orientation at 5 p.m., and the top four participants will receive a scholarship ranging from $1,500 to $250.
YF&R and collegiate Farm Bureau members will compete in a joint discussion meet taking place at OKFB’s annual meeting in Norman on Friday, Nov. 5, with orientation beginning at 9:30 a.m. The collegiate winner will receive an all-expense paid trip to the American Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers Conference in Louisville, Kentucky. The YF&R winner will receive an all-expense paid trip the AFBF Convention in Atlanta, Georgia, to compete in the AFBF Discussion Meet, in addition to a John Deere Z355E ZTrak Mower.
Charles Roff Award
The Charles Roff award recognizes Oklahoma’s top county YF&R committee. Applications are judged on the county’s activities for the year and must be accompanied by no more than three pages (front and back) of photos and clippings for verification. The award is presented at OKFB’s annual meeting on Saturday, Nov. 6.
For more information about the competitive events, contact Zac Swartz at (405) 523-2300. Find the full OKFB Annual Meeting schedule on the OKFB website.
