The Achievement in Agriculture Award recognizes members of Florida Farm Bureau’s Young Farmers and Ranchers program who excel in their involvement in agriculture, leadership abilities, involvement in Farm Bureau and other civic and service organizations. Applicants must be between the ages of 18 and 35. They may apply as individuals or as couples.

Three finalists have been selected for Florida Farm Bureau’s 2017 Achievement in Agriculture Award and will compete in October for the top statewide honor at the Florida Farm Bureau Annual Meeting in Ponte Vedra.

This year’s finalists are Brittany Lee (Alachua County), Jimmy Hancock (Pasco County) and Kelly Mosley (Clay County).

“We are very excited about announcing this year’s Achievement Award finalists, because they truly represent what is so great about Florida agriculture,” said Florida Farm Bureau leadership programs coordinator Michele Curts.  “Applicants share a passion for what they are doing and their role in our state’s agriculture. Florida Farm Bureau is proud of all three finalists.”

Each Achievement in Agriculture award finalist will undergo an on-site farm visit by a team of qualified judges as part of the final selection process.

The winner will be announced at the Florida Farm Bureau State Annual Meeting, Oct. 30-Nov. 1, in Ponte Vedra Beach, and will receive a brand new Chevrolet Silverado, courtesy of Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance.

The recipient will also receive an all-expense paid trip to the 2018 American Farm Bureau Federation Annual Meeting, scheduled for Jan. 5-10, 2018 in Nashville, to represent Florida in the national competition.

The Finalists

Lee is the vice president and farm manager of Florida Blue Farms, a Southern Highbush blueberry farm in Orange Heights.

Hancock owns and operates Hancock Citrus Harvesting in Dade City.

Mosley operates Amazing Grace Crop Maze in Green Cove Springs. The agritourism destination highlights farm life for thousands of visitors each year.