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GFB YF competitive event winners bound for Nashville

by Georgia Farm Bureau


Posted on Nov 29, 2017 at 0:00 AM


The winners in Georgia Farm Bureau’s Young Farmer competitive events will test themselves on the national level at the American Farm Bureau Federation Convention in Nashville, Jan. 5-10, 2018, with some sweet prizes on the line.

Thomas and Alicia Harrell of Madison County won the GFB Young Farmer Achievement Award. Josh and Skye Pennino of Hancock County won the GFB Young Farmer Excellence in Agriculture Award and Will Godowns of Pike County won the GFB Young Farmer Discussion Meet. All three were named the winners of their respective events in July at the GFB Young Farmer Leadership Conference. As state winners, they advance to national competition. 

The Harrells raise poultry and cattle, grow hay and operate a farm equipment metal shop on their farm. Thomas is president of Madison County Farm Bureau. The Achievement Award recognizes young farmers who earn the majority of their income from production agriculture. The winner of the AFBF Achievement Award receives a new Ford truck sponsored by Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance and paid registration to the AFBF Young Farmers & Ranchers Leadership Conference, Feb. 16-19, 2018, in Reno, Nevada.

Josh Pennino works as a livestock auctioneer and livestock relocation specialist. Skye Pennino is an assistant district attorney in the Ocmulgee Judicial Circuit. The Excellence in Agriculture Award recognizes young farmers who earn the majority of their income from something other than production agriculture. Skye is vice president of Hancock County Farm Bureau. The winner of the AFBF Excellence in Agriculture Award receives a new Ford truck sponsored by Country Financial and paid registration to the 2018 YF&R Leadership Conference.

Godowns manages a herd of 200 cows and calves for Caldwell Farm & Land.  He won the GFB Young Farmer Discussion Meet held during the July conference, emerging from a field of 29 competitors from around the state. Godowns is a Pike County Farm Bureau director. The winner of the AFBF Discussion Meet receives a new Ford truck sponsored by Farm Bureau Financial Services and paid registration to the AFBF YF&R Leadership Conference.

Runners-up in all three competitions receive a Case IH Farmall 50A tractor, courtesy of Case IH.

Competitors who finish in third place in all three competitions receive a Case IH 40-inch combination roll cabinet & top chest and a $500 Case IH parts card courtesy of Case IH, as well as $2,000 worth of Stanley Black & Decker merchandise, courtesy of Stanley Black & Decker.

Competitors who finish in fourth place in all three competitions receive a Case IH 40-inch combination roll cabinet & top chest and a $500 Case IH parts card courtesy of Case IH.


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