Darlington Couple Receives Young Farmer Award
Charleston, SC – Ty and Tracy Woodard of Darlington County were recently named winners of the 2017 South Carolina Farm Bureau Federation (SCFB) Young Farmers and Ranchers Achievement Award. The Woodards were announced as winners of the award during an awards reception at the SCFB Young Farmers and Ranchers Leadership Conference held in Charleston, SC Jan. 27-28.
Nikki Seibert Kelley, of Charleston County, also took home an award at the reception after being named winner of the 2017 SCFB Young Farmers and Ranchers Excellence in Agriculture Award.
“Competing for these awards is a unique opportunity for farmers and ranchers between the ages of 18-35 in South Carolina,” said Harry Ott, SCFB President. “We are thrilled to celebrate with these two winners this year. They are well-deserving and South Carolina is fortunate to have young professionals who are committed to supporting and promoting the agricultural interests of this state.”
Tracy and Ty Woodard (center), of Darlington County, were awarded the 2017 SCFB Young Farmers and Ranchers Achievement Award by SCFB President, Harry Ott (left) and Director of Marketing for SCFB Casualty Insurance Company, Susan Merrill (right). Photo Contributed
The Woodards were awarded $1,000 and a new Chevy pickup truck—both courtesy of Southern Farm Bureau Casualty Insurance Company. They will also receive an expense-paid trip to the 2017 AFBF FUSION conference in Pittsburgh, Pa., and an expense-paid trip to compete at the 2018 AFBF annual meeting in Nashville, Tenn.
The Achievement Award recognizes young farmers and ranchers who have excelled in their farming or ranching operations and exhibited superior leadership abilities. Participants are evaluated on a combination of their agricultural operation’s growth and financial progress, Farm Bureau leadership and leadership outside of Farm Bureau.
As winner of the Excellence in Agriculture Award, Seibert was awarded a brand new ATV, helmet and gloves, courtesy of Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company. She will also receive an expense-paid trip to the 2017 American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) FUSION conference in Pittsburgh, Pa., and an expense-paid trip to compete at the 2018 AFBF annual meeting in Nashville, Tenn.
The Excellence in Agriculture Award recognizes young farmers and ranchers who do not derive the majority of their income from an agricultural operation, but who actively contribute and grow through their involvement in agriculture, their leadership ability and participation in Farm Bureau and other organizations.
“Our Young Farmers and Ranchers program is growing as an increasing number of young people recognize the value of Farm Bureau Federation and its mission to promote agricultural interests in South Carolina,” said Jessica Cabrera, the SCFB Young Farmers and Ranchers Coordinator and Director of Organizational Training and Leadership Development.
“We were really excited to host our largest group ever this year, growing in attendance more than 30 percent from last year’s conference.”
The SCFB Young Farmers and Ranchers program is one of many activities sponsored by the South Carolina Farm Bureau Federation. By connecting farmers to the larger community, Farm Bureau cultivates understanding about agriculture’s importance to South Carolina’s local economies. To learn more, log on to www.scfb.org.
