Elkhart Farm Bureau earns award for Cowboy Ethics program

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — Indiana’s Elkhart County Farm Bureau was selected by the American Farm Bureau Federation as one of last year’s County Activities of Excellence (CAE) Awards program winners. Elkhart County Farm Bureau won for its involvement in a robust Cowboy Ethics program.

The CAE Awards celebrate unique, volunteer-driven programming at the local level. Elkhart County’s Cowboy Ethics program is coordinated by volunteer Dwight Moudy and has been an active program in that area for nearly five years.

“I learned that James Owen, a retired Wall Street professional, had created a program based on years of research that focuses on what he called ‘The Code of the West,’” explained Moudy. “Knowing that children are often fascinated by stories of cowboys, we created a local program with that theme to teach youth about principles, values and self-sufficiency.”

With Elkhart County Farm Bureau’s support, he coordinates 25 elementary and middle school classes in the county each year. But the program’s reach continues to grow. “All told, we will have about 95 classes in the area this year,” estimated Moudy. “Neighboring counties are adapting the program for the children.”

But the program doesn’t stop with ethics. County Farm Bureau leadership and volunteers also use the time in the classroom to teach students about agriculture.

“We speak to Elkhart Community School students who have no farming background to teach them about farming and to show them how important math and science are in our line of work,” explained Bert Egging, Elkhart County Farm Bureau president.

As Egging explains, many of the children seem surprised to hear the farmers speaking about the math involved in milk production or the science of caring for animals.

“Over the years, we’ve created a lot of opportunities for the kids to experience farming without leaving school grounds,” he explained. “We bring baby farm animals to the school and this year we are hoping to help them grow vegetables that they can harvest at the end of the year. The farming side of the program is mostly about teaching them where their food comes from.”

Elkhart County Farm Bureau competed against county Farm Bureaus across the country for the annual award. Elkhart County is the only Indiana county winner. Submissions were grouped by membership size. Cowboy Ethics won in the 5,000-and-more member group, the largest single-county award grouping.

Elkhart County Farm Bureau will be recognized and will exhibit its program during AFBF’s 99th Annual Convention and IDEAg Trade Show, Jan. 5-10, in Nashville. Winning counties receive a $2,250 stipend to apply toward the cost of travel and exhibition.

Sale of Champions celebrates youth exhibitors at NAILE

LOUISVILLE, Ky. —The North American International Livestock Exposition (NAILE) Sale of Champions raised $64,500 during a live auction on Nov. 16 at the Kentucky Exposition Center.

The Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion steers, hogs and lambs in the junior show division are auctioned off to the highest bidder during the sale. Ten percent of the sales are donated to charitable organizations. The remaining 90 percent are split, with 10 percent going to promote the expo and 80 percent given to the youth exhibitors.

More than $1.75 million has been raised through the auction to further promote youth involvement in agribusiness and fund charitable endeavors. The 2017 NAILE Sale of Champions exhibitors, purchasers and sale prices are:

•Grand Champion Steer: $16,500, exhibited by Mikala Grady of Grandview, Texas, and purchased by Kentucky Cattleman’s and Cox’s Shavings

•Reserve Grand Champion Steer: $14,000, exhibited by Jesse Hoblyn of York, Neb., and purchased by Levy Restaurants, Agribusiness Industry Network and Farm Credit Mid-America

•Grand Champion Market Hog: $10,000, exhibited by Kylie Barnard of Von Ormy, Texas, and purchased by Kentucky Pork Producers and Ehrler’s Ice Cream

•Reserve Grand Champion Market Hog: $7,500, exhibited by Lucia Abreu of St. Helena, Calif., and purchased by Farm Credit Mid-America and Louisville Ag Club

•Grand Champion Market Lamb: $9,000, exhibited by Alexandra Raute of Carmel, Ind., and purchased by Feeders Supply, Top Bedding Richmond Quebec and Smith Creek

•Reserve Grand Champion Market Lamb: $7,500, exhibited by Sam Schmillen of Marcus, Iowa, and purchased by Jefferson County Farm Bureau, Kentucky Aquaculture and Ruth’s Catering

Growmark announces 2018 essay contest winners

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — Ross Tompkins of Smithboro, Ill., Anna Campbell of Hamlin, Iowa, Chloe Momphard of Troy, Mo., and Audrey Pelikan of Jefferson, Wis., have been named state winners of the 2018 Growmark essay contest for FFA members.

The theme of this year’s contest was “How can cooperatives demonstrate their value to the next generation of agriculturists?”

Tompkins is a student at Mulberry Grove High School and a member of the Mulberry Grove FFA chapter. His FFA advisor is Matt Elam. Campbell is a student at Audubon High School and a member of the Audubon FFA chapter. Her FFA advisor is Brittany Elmquist.

Momphard is a student at Troy Buchanan High School and a member of the Troy FFA chapter. Her FFA advisor is Rob Calvin. Pelikan is a student at Jefferson High School and a member of the Jefferson FFA chapter. Her FFA advisor is Gary Olson.

Each state’s contest winner receives a $500 award from Growmark at their state FFA convention. The winner’s FFA chapter also receives a $300 award in honor of their accomplishment.

Four runners-up in each state receive a $125 award. The runners-up and their FFA chapters are, in Illinois: Brynn Bergen, Mercer County FFA, Seaton; Mackenzie Brackett, LeRoy FFA; Connor Sullivan, West Prairie FFA, Colchester; and Sean Welch, ROWVA FFA, Knoxville.

In Iowa: Kanyon Huntington, East Union FFA, Afton; Austin Miller, North Linn FFA, Walker; Rease Morris, Collins-Maxwell FFA, Maxwell; and Rebecca Wilson, Lone Tree FFA, Conesville.

In Missouri, Karli Amos, Monroe City FFA; Cole Hammett, Ashland FFA; Alyssa Kothe, Salisbury FFA; and Grace Owen, Norborne FFA.

In Wisconsin, Kendra Gillett, Beaver Dam FFA, Fall River; Peter Gorman, New London FFA, Manawa; Trevor Messmer, Lake Mills FFA; and Madison Russell, Shullsburg FFA.

This is the 25th year for the program, sponsored by the Growmark System and FS member cooperatives, in conjunction with state FFA leaders, to help young people develop their writing skills, learn about current issues in agriculture and understand the unique role of cooperatives.

Ceres Solutions’ 2018 scholarship applications open

WABASH, Ind. — In its continuing effort to support youth pursuing careers in agriculture, Ceres Solutions will offer $25,000 through scholarships to high school seniors and college students this spring. Students receiving the scholarships are selected based on their commitment to agricultural youth programs and their desire to pursue higher education.

“Our employee group and our board of directors strongly believe in investing in education, and in particular, it is a privilege to support students from the local farm families we serve," said Jeff Troike, Ceres Solutions Cooperative CEO. "Students who are passionate about agriculture and demonstrate leadership will be the best advocates of our industry in the years to come. In fact, they can expect we'll be working to recruit them to join the Ceres Solutions workforce in the future."

Selection criteria emphasizes involvement in agricultural youth groups such as 4-H and FFA. Students must be children or grandchildren of current cooperative members or employees of the cooperative to apply for the high school scholarships. They must be entering their freshman year of college in 2018.

Since committing to offering a scholarship program, it is estimated Ceres and its predecessor co-ops have provided more than $175, 000 in scholarships to local students.

Students interested in applying for these scholarships or learning more about Ceres Solutions should visit the website at www.ceres.coop or contact David Smith at 800-992-3495, ext. 279. Completed scholarship forms must be submitted by March 1.