The New York Farm Bureau State Young Farmer & Rancher (NYFB YF&R) Committee is excited to announce the 2010 Young Farmer & Rancher Award Programs - Achievement Award, Excellence in Agriculture Award and the Discussion Meet. All Young Farmers, 18-35 years of age as of January 31, 2011 are encouraged to participate in these events to compete for recognition & prizes. Dodge is a sponsor of these contests on the state level by providing a $500 cash award for the top prize winner of each contest. The NYFB YF&R Committee also provides cash awards for the winners and finalists for each contest.

The Achievement Award recognizes young farmers for their farming pursuits and participation and leadership within agriculture and their own community. The ideal candidate(s) for the Achievement Award is an individual or married couple involved in production agriculture with a majority of their income subject to normal production risks.The judging of this award is based on: farm operation and growth (35%), financial progress of operation (30%), Farm Bureau leadership (20%) and other leadership involvement (15%). Applicants complete a written application which is judged to select the top 3 finalists who then complete a more detailed application and participate in an interview. Kubota Tractor Corporation has agreed to donate use of a Kubota M Series Utility Tractor (44 - 98 horse power) with loader (if desired) (250 hours or be returned by Dec. 15 of award year whichever occurs first) again this year for the winner of the NYFB YF&R Achievement Award.

The Excellence in Agriculture Award is designed as an opportunity for young farmers to earn recognition while actively contributing and growing through their involvement in Farm Bureau and agriculture. The ideal candidate(s) for the Excellence in Agriculture Award is an individual or married couple who do not have the majority of their income subject to normal production risk. Applicants must have derived a majority of their income from a non-production agribusiness enterprise for the past three years. For example ag teacher, fertilizer salesperson, ag marketing, ag writer or farm employee (non-owner).

Applicants complete a written application which is judged to select the top three finalists who will give a presentation of their application. Participants' written application will be judged on: answers to application questions II-IV (30%), Farm Bureau experience (25%), Other Leadership Experience, Awards and Recognition (35%) and overall application form (10%). The presentation is judged: overall presentation (50%), Personal Growth & Development (25%) and Leadership Involvement (25%). The total score is based on the application (66.7%) and the presentation (33.3%). Stihl Outdoor Power Equipment will donate a chain saw for the winner of the NYFB YF&R Excellence in Agriculture Award.

Up to three finalists - singles or married couples - will be selected for both the Achievement Award and Excellence in Agriculture Award. The finalists will compete October 26 for the opportunity to be named the NYFB YF&R 2010 Award Winner. The winner will be announced at the NYFB Annual Meeting on December 7, 2010 on Long Island.

The application deadline for the Achievement Award and the Excellence in Agriculture Award is July 1, 2010. All inoformation and applications can be found on this website.

The Discussion Meet is a contest involving four to six participants, a moderator and relevant, controversial issues affecting agriculture. It is an exercise in cooperative problem solving.

 This contest is designed to simulate a committee meeting where discussion and active participation are expected from each committee member. The participants are scored on their effectiveness in bringing out all information the group has on the specific issue and how they work cooperatively to develop possible solutions. The 2010 Discussion Meet Round Robin contest will be held Tuesday October 26 at the Holiday Inn, Syracuse/Liverpool. The top 4 contestants will be selected to compete in the Finals Contest at the NYFBState Annual Meeting on Tuesday December 7, 2010 on Long Island. Grainger will donate a prize for the winner of the NYFB FY&R Discussion Meet Contest.

About STIHL

STIHL Inc. manufactures the world’s largest selling brand of chain saws and produces a full line of powerful, lightweight, and versatile handheld outdoor power equipment for homeowners and professional users. STIHL products are sold through servicing power equipment retailers from coast to coast— not mass merchants. STIHL products sold through U.S. STIHL dealers are for distribution in the United States only. For more information or for the name of the closest STIHL retailer call toll free 1-800-GO STIHL (1-800-467-8445) or visit the STIHL Web site at www.stihlusa.com.