A Limestone County couple was named Outstanding Young Farm Family of the Year by ALFA farmers. The award was presented at Alabama Farmers Federation Farm & Land Expo in Mobile over the weekend.
Brady and Anna Peek went into the farming business in 2010 and have increased their row crops yields and efficiency since that time. They have also grown their operation to include custom farming and a trucking business. The Peeks have expanded into growing flowers and sweet corn, as well.
Brady is the State Soybean Committee chair and chaired the State Young Farmers Committee in 2021.
Congratulations to the 2023 Outstanding Young Farm Family — Brady and Anna Peek of Limestone County! ?
Read more: https://t.co/ieMegCfzuW pic.twitter.com/D0aBOPhteW
— Alfa Farmers (@AlfaFarmers) August 13, 2023
The Peeks won more than $80,000 in prizes, including $40,000 for a new Ford truck from Alfa Insurance; a John Deere 825i Gator sponsored by Alabama Farm Credit and Alabama Ag Credit; and a year’s lease on a John Deere tractor, courtesy of John Deere, TriGreen and SunSouth.
The runner-up couple was Whit and Amanda Lovelady from Talladega County. The Loveladys raise cattle and hay. They won the use of a Kubota M series tractor, courtesy of Kubota, and also won $500 from Alabama Ag Credit and Alabama Farm Credit.
The family that came in third place in the contest was Mitchell and Rebecca Henry of Lawrence Countym who also raise cattle and crops. The Henrys won a prize package from Corteva Agriscience and $500 from Alabama Ag Credit and Alabama Farm Credit.
Judges visited all three farms in July to select the champion. The families were judged on farm growth, community involvement and Federation and American Farm Bureau Federation leadership.
Zack Brannon of Winston County won Excellence in Agriculture. The competition is for participants to showcase the role agriculture plays in their lives and to also present solutions on agricultural issues. Brannon received a zero-turn Grasshopper lawn mower, also sponsored by Corteva Agriscience.
The first runner-up was Josh and Bailey Williams of Tallapoosa County; Jake and Sheena Gay of Randolph County came in third.
Four young farmers were selected as finalists to take part in the Discussion Meet which simulates a committee meeting where participants discuss solutions to agricultural issues. The four finalists are Miller Bonds of Limestone County, Caleb Beason of Franklin County, Gavin Rankins of Chambers County and Greyson Lauderdale of Limestone County. They will compete during the Federation’s annual meeting in December. The winner will receive a new four-wheeler, sponsored by First South Farm Credit.
All finalists received a custom Young Farmers of Alabama Solo Stove, compliments of the Alabama Farmers Federation and Alfa Insurance.
The winners will compete and represent Alabama in January during the American Farm Bureau Federation national competition in Salt Lake City.
Austen Shipley is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News.
