LITTLE ROCK – The finalists in Arkansas Farm Bureau’s annual Young Farmer and Rancher Achievement Award have been announced.

The award honors young farmers and ranchers between the ages of 18-35 for the general excellence of their operations, their hard work and innovation.

The 2015 finalists are:

• Jamey and Sara Allen of Prattsville (Grant County). The Allens have a 1,200-head beef cattle operation in addition to Jamey’s Allen Gate and Panel company. They have two children, four-year-old Kylee and three-year-old Kaden.
• Derek and Shannon Haigwood of Newport (Jackson County). The Haigwoods grow corn, cotton, rice and soybeans on 3,130 acres. They have one child, two-year-old Judah.
• Jeremy and Tracie Kitchens of Lewisville (Lafayette County). The Kitchens have a cattle and farrow-to-finish swine operation. They are also growing 100 acres of soybeans and irrigated corn silage and hay.

The winning couple will receive a $40,000 GM gift card to be used toward the purchase of any new 2016 General Motors vehicle and receives a trip in January to the American Farm Bureau Convention in Orlando, Fla. to compete for the national award.

The winner of the state award will be announced at the organization’s annual convention Dec. 3 at the Marriott Hotel in Little Rock.   

The winner of the American Farm Bureau Achievement Award will have their choice of a 2016 Chevrolet Silverado or 2016 GMC Sierra, courtesy of General Motors. Three national finalists will receive a Farmall 65A, courtesy of Case IH, along with a $2,500 cash prize and $500 in merchandise, courtesy of Stihl. 

Kaden, Jamey, Sara and Kylee Allen

Shannon, Derek and Judah Haigwood 

Jeremy and Tracie Kitchens