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Young farmer winners are leaders in their field

The four new winners of the National Outstanding Young Farmer awards have in common the ability to lead and an eye for innovation.  Randy Melvin from North Dakota, feels his obligation goes beyond producing food, fuel and fiber.

“Farming is going to become more than just planting a crop and harvesting a crop,” said Melvin, who is active in the state and national corn growers associations.  “It’s going to be being involved in leadership roles with commodity organizations, and working with elected officials, working with research; educating and gaining the trust of the consumers.”

Melvin and his wife Kristi farm about 35 miles west of Fargo.

All of the couples vying for Outstanding Young Farmers awards expressed gratitude at having made it to the finals.  Ravelle Garone from Bakersfield, California, is grateful for the Outstanding Young Farmer experience because of its sense of community.

“It’s really wonderful to get to know other people that share your profession, but in a totally different climate, region, dealing with the same challenges, but different,” said Garone.  “And it brings us all together because at end of the day, we’re all trying to do the same thing.”

She and her husband Chad are fourth generation farmers in southern California.

The Melvins and Garones join Ryan and Misty Bivens of Kentucky; and Christopher and Ginger Martin of Georgia as the 2015 Outstanding Young Farmer winners.

The Awards Congress culminated on Valentines Day in Cherry Hill, New Jersey.

AUDIO: Chad and Ravelle Garone (5 min. MP3)

AUDIO: Randy and Kristi Melvin (11 min. MP3)

AUDIO: Christopher and Ginger Martin (6 min. MP3)

AUDIO: Ryan and Misty Bivens (6 min. MP3)