Farm Bureau's Indiana Young Farmers awarded.

Hawaii Bound for Indiana Young Farmers
Posted on 12 December 2011 by Andy Eubank

They’re headed to Hawaii! Two Indiana couples and one individual have qualified for American Farm Bureau Young Farmer and Rancher contests by emerging as state winners, so they’ll be flying to the national convention in Honolulu in January.
Clinton and Julie Taylor of Boone County won the Excellence in Agriculture Award and Don and Jennifer Shoemaker picked up Achievement Award honors.
In his third try at Discussion Meet, where contestants simulate a committee meeting group discussion, Steve Gauck of Decatur County won, breaking through stiff competition all day Saturday.
“This year’s whole discussion meet was super,” he said. “I encourage people to come out and be a part of it. It’s a discussion. It’s fun. You’re with friends and you get to make a lot of new friends, and you’re just having a conversation. This final four round especially was a group of people we all knew each other. We all could play off of that and just had a fantastic time.”
The other finalists were John Feutz of Gibson County, Jason Morehouse of

Hamilton County and Amanda Mosiman of Warrick County. They discussed “How can we convince the public that the animal agriculture industry balances production efficiencies with the public’s expectations of animal care?” and received a $1,000 cash runner-up prize from Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance.
Gauck and his wife Kimmie were the Indiana Excellence in Ag award winners two years ago, earning a trip to Seattle. He told HAT a lot of doors open when young farmers get involved in Farm Bureau competition.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time with Farm Bureau and Young Farmers. It’s built relationships all over the state. I have friends that are farming where they’re not competing for land. You can call and talk about things and make some really good friendships that way. And you learn about all the things that Farm Bureau can offer, from helping you with policy and legislative issues, maybe in your own county at your own farm, to networking with people from a job standpoint. So many opportunities.”
The three major awards are available to Farm Bureau members age 35 or younger, and as state winner, Gauck receives a $4,000 cash prize from Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance and $500 from Indiana Farm Bureau Inc. plus the expenses paid trip to the national convention in Honolulu January 8-11.
Gauck is the district sales manager for Beck’s Hybrids, and he and Kimmie also work on the family farm raising corn, soybeans, sod and grass-fed beef. Kimmie is the daughter of Burl and Cheryl Dudley of Fillmore. She graduated from South Putnam High School as well.