YLs Name National Reps

At the Illinois Farm Bureau Annual Meeting, the Young Leader Committee gives three coveted awards. The winners will advance nationally and represent Illinois at the American Farm Bureau Federation Annual Meeting in January.

Discussion Meet
Ann Larson of DeKalb County, was named the Discussion Meet winner. Larson has been a member of the IFB Young Leaders for two years and is currently attending the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, majoring in agriculture business and communications and marketing.  

The Illinois Farm Bureau Young Leader Discussion Meet is a mock committee meeting where men and women, aged 18-35, are judged on the friendly exchange of ideas. Contestants compete in local competitions in the Fall. Several advance to three rounds of competition on the first day of IFB's Annual Meeting, to reach the final round.  (See the Discussion Meet Photo Gallery)

Discussion meet finalists are:

• Ann Larson of DeKalb County, Winner
• Doug Kirk of Vermilion County, 1^st Runner-Up
• Jesse Faber of Livingston County, Honorable Mention
• Caleb May of Edwards County, Honorable Mention

Achievement Award
IFB's Achievement Award recognizes young farmers for their involvement in Farm Bureau and their community. Their commitment to growing their farm is also acknowledged. This year's winners are Chad and Ashlie Broster of Mount Carmel, Wabash County.

Chad and Ashlie Broster grow corn, soybeans, wheat, and grain sorghum (milo) on a third-generation farm. They farm about 4,000 acres in Edwards and Wabash counties in partnership with Chad's parents, Allen and Debbie. Ashlie also works as a registered nurse at Deaconess Women's Hospital.

Excellence in Ag Award
The YL Excellence in Ag Award recognizes outstanding individuals or couples whose primary interest is not in farming. Instead, we celebrate their leadership and hard work that contribute to the success of their committees, communities, and farm industry. This year's winners are Brad and Paula Zwilling of Champaign County.

The Zwillings, who still help out on their families' grain farms in the state, live in Fisher. Brad is an analyst for Illinois Farm Business Farm Management (FBFM) in Champaign-Urbana. Paula is a stay-at-home mother with the couple's three boys, Dylan, 7, Caleb, 5, and Nathan, 2.