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Four young Ohio farmers showed they are among the best in the nation during competitions held at the American Farm Bureau annual meeting in Salt Lake City.

Alan and Sarah Wuebker of Versailles were runners-up for the American Farm Bureau Achievement Award, which recognizes young farmers who have excelled in their farming or ranching operations and exhibited superior leadership abilities. They received a Case IH compact tractor and a $250 parts-and-service gift certificate. The Wuebkers farm full-time with Alan's brother raising corn, soybeans, wheat, alfalfa, sows and dairy steers.

"It's been an honor to be here among all these wonderful farmers from all over the United States and to place what we did, it's been great," Alan said.

John Buck of Marion was a runner-up in the Excellence in Agriculture competition, which recognizes young farmers who do not derive the majority of their income from the agricultural operation, but who actively contribute and grow through their involvement in Farm Bureau. He received a $4,000 U.S. Savings Bond and a Farm Boss chainsaw from Stihl Outdoor Power Equipment. Buck owns and runs a diversified agricultural business operation, which includes livestock and cash grain enterprises and a repair shop for area farmers.

"Everybody in Ohio that's out there promoting agriculture or trying to support agriculture that doesn't get most of their income from the farm or production agriculture ought to think of this award as something to strive for," he said.

Leia Ringler of Mansfield earned a spot in the national competitions after winning Ohio's Discussion Meet. The contest tests participants’ subject knowledge, problem solving abilities and personal and small group communications skills. In the first round of competition, Ringler discussed the impact of rising land prices on farmers.

"We can help control urban sprawl by finding other ways to fund retirement other than selling our land," she said. In the next round, she emphasized the need for a workable animal identification program.

Ringler farms with her husband, Aaron, feeding cattle and producing grain.