Case IH Awards Nine Farmall Tractors at AFBF Annual Meeting

Case IH recently presented the award of nine new Farmall® A tractors to the runners-up of the American Farm Bureau Federation’s (AFBF) 2012 Young Farmers & Ranchers Achievement Award, Discussion Meet and Excellence in Agriculture competitions. These finalists demonstrate the leadership and skills that farmers need to meet the difficulties of the evolving agriculture industry. We’re proud to partner with AFBF in recognizing these hard-working and committed individuals.

The recipients of the Achievement Award are young farmers and ranchers who have excelled in their operation while showing leadership abilities. These runners-up will receive a Case IH Farmall 65A tractor.

CHAD AND JULIE CARLTON – ARAGON, GEORGIA

Chad and Julie Carlton produce free-range eggs, grass-fed beef, range-fed turkeys and lamb. They market their all-natural products in Atlanta, Georgia, and are active in the agricultural community. Chad serves as vice president of the Polk County Farm Bureau, is a chairperson on the legislative committee and sits on the Georgia Organics board. The Carltons have already put their new Case IH Farmall tractor to work within their beef operation. This is their second Case IH tractor.

TRAVIS AND RENAE GEBHART – MEADOW, SOUTH DAKOTA

Not only are Travis and Renae Gebhart busy with their 360 beef cows and several thousand acres of pastureland and farm ground, they’re also parents of three children and serve in their local community. Travis is a volunteer for the Glad Valley Fire Department, is on the dean’s advisory board for the College of Agriculture and Biological Sciences at South Dakota State University, is an active member in his church, and assists with the local FFA and 4-H. The Gebharts “bleed red” and are excited about their new Case IH equipment addition.

KIRK AND STEPHANIE LIEFER – RED BUD, ILLINOIS

Kirk Liefer, his wife, Stephanie, and their five children grow corn, beans, wheat, soybeans, seed beans and seed wheat. Kirk also serves as the Randolph County Farm Bureau president, and Stephanie works with the St. Clement Community Foundation, providing grants and scholarships to people in the healthcare field. Active in their church and children’s schools, the Liefers also teach students about their beliefs and their role in agriculture. This is the family’s first Case IH tractor, and they’re excited to put it to good use.

 

During the AFBF Discussion Meet, finalists simulated a committee meeting with active discussion and participation, and they were evaluated based on their ability to exchange ideas and information on a predetermined topic. The runners-up for this honor will receive a Case IH Farmall 55A tractor.

JACOB ANDERSEN – ARBON, IDAHO

A third-generation Farm Bureau participant, Jacob Andersen works full-time as an IT consultant and farms 600 acres of hay part-time. He also helps his father run a small cow/calf operation. Jacob participates in a mobile agriculture program, bringing equipment to elementary schools to teach students what life is like on a farm. Jacob grew up with Case IH equipment and is ready to put his new tractor to work feeding cows.

 

KATIE PRATT – DIXON, ILLINOIS

Katie Pratt, her husband, Andy, and Andy’s parents and brother farm 5,200 acres of corn, soybeans and seed corn. Serving on the local AFBF Young Farmers & Ranchers committee and as president of her local United Way, Katie takes her role in the community seriously. The third-generation farmer grew up with Case IH tractors, but her husband’s family runs green. She says many folks are excited to see red mixed into the Pratt’s farms.

CHELSEA GOOD – TOPEKA, KANSAS

With the goal of starting her own cattle herd this year, Chelsea Good is finishing her law degree in the evenings while working full-time during the day as the communications director for the Kansas Department of Agriculture. She participates in the Kansas Farm Bureau and the Shawnee County Farm Bureau, the Young Farmers & Ranchers program, and she is a member of the Kansas Livestock Association and the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. Chelsea says she spent a lot of time in coffee shops practicing for the Discussion Meet with the help of friends, family and professors. She looks forward to using her new Case IH Farmall 55A tractor for her ranching operation.

Receiving a Case IH Farmall 45A tractor, the runners-up for the Excellence in Agriculture competition do not derive the majority of their income from an agricultural operation, but actively contribute to and enhance their involvement in agriculture with leadership and participation in the Farm Bureau and other organizations.

JASON AND PAIGE PRATT – ATKINS, VIRGINIA

New to their own farming operation, Jason and Paige Pratt raise about 180 purebred Angus cattle. Jason serves on the board of directors for the Pulaski County Farm Bureau, while Paige participates in the women’s committee in the Smith County Farm Bureau. She also works for the Virginia Cooperative Extension and for Virginia Tech as the youth livestock specialist. The Pratt’s do not own a Case IH tractor, but say they’re looking forward to adding the small, fuel-efficient Farmall 45A to their equipment lineup.

JILLIAN BEATY – MILTON, WISCONSIN

Outside of teaching agriculture education at Oregon High School, Jillian Beaty remains involved in her family’s Ohio farming operation. She serves as the marketing and public relations manager for the operation, which has two greenhouses, a vegetable farm market, 500 acres of corn, soybean and alfalfa, along with 26 acres of pumpkins and sweet corn. Involved in her community, Jillian also helps out at two churches and the library. She strives to be an agricultural leader, sharing her knowledge of agriculture with consumers and creating future agricultural leaders.

SHARLA MORTIMER – DEWEY, ARIZONA

Along with raising 200 head of cattle, Sharla Mortimer and her husband recently began growing vegetables, like sweet corn and pumpkins, to share with community members. Fulfilling many roles within the Farm Bureau, Sharla serves on the Yavapai County Farm Bureau board, is a member of the women’s leadership committee, is involved with the Young Farmers & Ranchers program, and is a state women’s leadership chairperson. Sharla is excited to add her new Case IH Farmall 45A tractor to her and her husband’s fleet and plans to put it to work in their vegetable production operations.