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State farm bureau members honoredSeveral Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation members were honored at the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) annual meeting in Reno, Nev. More than 70 young farmers and ranchers from across the country competed Jan. 6 in the AFBF/YF&R achievement award and discussion competitions. In the achievement award competition, Scott and Michelle Hislop of Blue Earth County were among the top ten finalists. Rod Hamilton of Watonwan County represented Minnesota in the discussion meet contest. The Hislops operate a 134-year old farm near Mapleton. The farm has expanded from the original acreage and a very diversified livestock operation to a high-tech, 5,500 sow and crop production enterprise. Scott Hislop serves on the state and national swine advisory committees and Michelle Hislop is president of the Blue Earth County Farm Bureau. The couple has three children. Rod and Lynee Hamilton run a farm near Mountain Lake. They are involved in contract finishing with two hog barns and are active in their community. Rod Hamilton is a partner in American Swine Resources, a management and consulting company for farrow to finish swine operations. They have two children. The Hislops and Hamiltons received a plaque from MFBF for winning the state contest and $500 from Dodge Truck division of Chrysler Corp. They also will travel to Washington, D.C., in March to meet with legislators. The AFBF farmer idea exchange allows farmers and ranchers to share their creative alternatives to different situations. Each state can submit up to two ideas in several categories, like livestock management, safety and farm buildings. This year, Lyon County Farm Bureau member Tim Louwagie was selected to display his idea in the livestock category at the meeting showcase. Louwagie's "mighty gate" is described as gates that attach onto a universal skid loader attachment plate for a safer way of loading cattle, providing a temporary pen or creating alleys for moving cattle. Louwagie also received honorable mention in the equipment category for his tall hay forks idea. Einar Oftedal, Lyon County Farm Bureau member, also received honorable mention in the safety and handicap category for his pickup loader and combine lift ideas. MFBF received gold stars in the following categories: membership, Young Farmers & Ranchers, information and public relations, leadership and organizational development, public policy implementation, special program, Agriculture in the Classroom and agriculture promotion. MFBF President Al Christopherson accepted the award at a Jan. 6 presentation. The AFBF annual meeting continued through Jan. 9. More than 60 state farm bureau members join 5,000 other from other states who attend the meeting. ©ECM Post Review |