Every year young Michigan farmers, ages 18-35, face off in categories geared toward recognizing their agricultural involvement, leadership and achievements via Farm Bureau’s Young Farmer Awards. This year, two Sanilac County farmers were among the four winners, with John Bowsky of Brown City receiving the Young Agriculture Leader Award and Minden City’s Darcy Lipskey receiving the Excellence in Agriculture Award.
Both farmers were finalists in the same categories just last year.
The Young Agriculture Leader Award honors successful young agriculturalists who earn the majority of their income from a farm operation for their outstanding leadership in Farm Bureau, farming and throughout the agricultural community.
John Bowsky, who works full-time with the Blue Water Conservation District when he’s not farming, raises 500 acres of soybeans and red wheat with the help of his sisters, Jessica and Jennifer.
While his work with the conservation district allows him to help other county farmers be verified in the Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program, growing the family farm and continuing a family legacy started four generations ago are his main ambitions. In addition to an all-expense paid trip to the American Farmer Bureau’s FUSION conference, where he will have the chance to work with other young farmers across the country, Bowsky’s prizes include a lease on a New Holland compact tractor and a $1000 AgroLiquid Certificate.
Meanwhile, the Excellence in Agriculture Award is designed to recognize young farmers for their involvement in agriculture, leadership ability and participation in Farm Bureau. Darcy Lipskey comes from six generations of farmers, and is raising corn, wheat, dry beans and alfalfa hay to feed and care for the family Angus cow/calf operation.
Despite the farm keeping her busy, Lipskey also works for the Natural Resources Conservation Service, identifying resource concerns to help landowners enhance conservation efforts. Lipskey also helped establish the Freeze Out Hunger program, which not only supplies several area food pantries with protein, but also supports local agriculture, as the meat comes from animals purchased at the county fair. As the state winner, Lipskey will receive a three-month lease on a Michigan CAT skid-steer; a $1,000 AgroLiquid gift certificate; and an all-expense paid trip to the AFBF Annual Meeting to compete in the national competition.
