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For Immediate Release
November 21, 2007

COLUMBUS, Ohio (OFBF) –Ohio Farm Bureau Federation (OFBF) has announced the finalists of its 2007 Outstanding Young Farmer contest. They are Dusty and Carrie Hesler of Winchester, Michael Miller of Salem, Andy and Deanna Troutman of Wooster and Brandon and Julie Weber of Jackson.

The award recognizes individuals or couples age 35 or younger for their accomplishments in their farming operations and their leadership in the agricultural community. The winner of the contest will be announced at the OFBF annual meeting Nov. 28 to 30 in Columbus.

The Heslers are partners in a family farm that includes a dairy along with corn, hay and tobacco production. Their goals include renovating their milk parlor, increasing free stall and calf housing and continued improvements to milk handling and milk quality. Both have served Adams County Farm Bureau as safety directors and Carrie is currently on the membership committee. Carrie has been a 4-H adviser for 12 years and Dusty is the county fair dairy superintendant. They have three children, Thomas, 8, Collin, 6, and Madison, 1.

Miller operates a second-generation grain and Holstein dairy farm with his father and brother. His current goals include a larger personal investment in the farm, updating milking equipment and buildings and expanding the dairy herd and facilities. Miller has also recently started his own custom baling business. He serves on the Mahoning County Farm Bureau Board as assistant secretary and is the Advisory Council Chair, in addition to other leadership positions within Farm Bureau and the Holstein industry.

The Troutmans own and operate a vineyard in Wayne County, complete with two retail sites and a wholesale operation to market their wine. Their goals include installing a goat milk processing facility, an aggressive introduction of new products and a long-term goal of a restaurant specializing in locally produced and processed food. Both have served as Farm Tour Committee members for Wayne County Farm Bureau and Andy is active in the membership campaign. They are also active in Lions Club, the Chamber of Commerce and the Ohio Grape and Wine industry. The Troutmans have two children, Sophia, 5, and Asa, 2.

The Webers are the eighth generation to own and operate the same family farm since 1835. They harvest hay, pumpkins, sweet corn and tomatoes and raise and sell Angus beef cattle for freezer meat. They also operate a high tunnel greenhouse. Their goals include hosting more tours, constructing ponds for irrigation, hosting a corn maze and haunted barn and educating consumers about high tunnel tomatoes. Both have served as Jackson/Vinton County Advisory Council/Young Farm co-chairs and on the membership, policy development and youth fundraising committees. Julie is a past county board trustee and a current Farm Bureau Action Team Leader. The couple has three children, Sara, 10, Tyler, 8, and Blake, 5.

The winner will receive an expense-paid trip to the American Farm Bureau Federation annual meeting in New Orleans in January to represent Ohio in the national contest. The state winner also receives a $1,000 purchase certificate at Grainger Industrial Supply courtesy of Farm Credit Services of Mid America, a year’s free lease on a Kubota M-series tractor courtesy of Kubota, $500 from Dodge Trucks and a $250 product voucher to any NAPA store courtesy of Valvoline. All finalists receive a commemorative chime clock from Ohio Farm Bureau.

CONTACT: Joe Cornely
PHONE: (614) 246-8230
E-MAIL: jcornely@ofbf.org