By Tanner Hood

Exceptional Young Farmers were honored at the Alabama Farmers Federation's 104th annual meeting Dec. 8 in Montgomery as a competitive contest season closed.

Statewide winners in Discussion Meet, Excellence in Agriculture and Outstanding Young Farm Family (OYFF) received prizes after besting other competitors ages 18-35 in the Alabama Young Farmers contests.

Lawrence County's Drew Wear took first place in the Discussion Meet following a captivating conversation on the effects of urban sprawl on farmers and forest landowners.

Wear, a poultry and cattle farmer, received a four-wheeler from First South Farm Credit. He competed alongside Emmanuel Bankston of Henry County, Ben Castleberry of St. Clair County and Zach Amason of Clay County. Finalists were named at the Federation's Farm & Land Conference in August.

Drew and Lauren Wendland of Autauga County received a prize package worth more than $80,000 as Alabama's 2025 Outstanding Young Farm Family (OYFF) contest winner. The Wendlands were honored during the Alabama Farmers Federation's 104th annual meeting in Montgomery Dec. 8. As the OYFF, they earned $40,000 toward a Ford vehicle courtesy of Alfa Insurance; a John Deere Gator from Alabama Ag Credit and Alabama Farm Credit; a year's lease on a John Deere tractor from John Deere, SunSouth and TriGreen; and an expenses-paid trip to compete for the national title during American Farm Bureau Federation's Annual Convention in Anaheim, California, in January. OYFF applicants receive more than half their income from production agriculture and are scored based on farm growth, Federation involvement and community work. The Wendlands were named the OYFF at the Farm & Land Conference earlier this year. The Wendlands raise row crops, cattle and hay in Autaugaville. They have three children, Mills, Smith and Rhett. From left are Federation and Alfa President Jimmy Parnell; the Wendlands; Federation Young Farmers Division Director Hunter McBrayer; Alabama Ag Credit's Nick Hartley; and Alabama Farm Credit's Mel Koller.

OYFF winners Drew and Lauren Wendland of Autauga County were awarded a prize package worth more than $80,000. This included $40,000 toward a new Ford vehicle courtesy of Alfa Insurance; a John Deere 835M Gator from Alabama Ag Credit and Alabama Farm Credit; and a year's lease on a John Deere tractor from John Deere, SunSouth and TriGreen.

OYFF applicants receive more than half their income from production agriculture and are scored based on farm growth, Federation involvement and community work.

The Wendlands raise row crops, cattle and hay in Autaugaville. They have three children, Mills, Smith and Rhett. d

From left are Federation Young Farmers Division Director Hunter McBrayer; Federation President Jimmy Parnell; Jacob Porter; and Corteva's Spen Oliver. From left are Federation Young Farmers Division Director Hunter McBrayer; Federation President Jimmy Parnell; Garrett Dixon; and Kubota's Webb Bobo and Stuart Morris.

OYFF runners-up were also recognized. First runners-up Garrett and Robin Dixon of Lee County received a 250-hour lease on a Kubota M series tractor from Kubota. The Dixons raise row crops and cattle in Salem and have two children, Chandler Jane and Cash.

As second runners-up, Clay County's Jacob and Misty Porter received a custom chemical package from Corteva Agriscience. The Porters raise poultry and cattle in Lineville. They have two children, Olen and Asher.

Josh and Bailey Williams of Tallapoosa County were honored as 2025 Excellence in Agriculture contest winners during the Alabama Farmers Federation's 104th annual meeting in Montgomery Dec. 8. As the Excellence in Agriculture winner, the Williamses received a zero-turn mower from Corteva Agriscience. They'll compete for the national title during American Farm Bureau Federation's Annual Convention in Anaheim, California, in January. Excellence in Agriculture contest participants receive less than half their income from production agriculture and are scored through an intense application and in-person presentation. The Williamses were named the winners at the Farm & Land Conference earlier this year. The Williamses raise cattle in Eclectic. Josh is a career technical education director, and Bailey is a speech language pathologist. From left are Federation President Jimmy Parnell; the Williamses; Corteva's Spen Oliver; and Federation Young Farmers Division Director Hunter McBrayer.

Excellence in Agriculture winners Josh and Bailey Williams of Tallapoosa County also received a prize from Corteva Agriscience - a zero-turn lawnmower. Excellence in Agriculture participants receive less than half their income from production agriculture and are scored through an application and presentation.

The Williamses raise cattle in Eclectic. Josh is a career technical education director, and Bailey is a speech language pathologist.

OYFF and Excellence in Agriculture winners were also announced during the Farm & Land Conference. All three winners will compete for national titles during American Farm Bureau Federation's Annual Convention in Anaheim, California, in January.