Winners of FCS, KCA Heifer Initiative Announced
 
Louisville, Kentucky – (February 2, 2010) –  The winners of the Kentucky Youth Heifer Initiative – the program which awarded $1,000 to three students who best answered an essay question “Why I would like to have my own beef heifer” – were announced last month during the Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association annual convention.
 
The competition was sponsored by the KCA and Farm Credit Services of Mid-America. It recognized winners in three age divisions 1) ages 9-13; 2) ages 14-17 and 3) ages 18-21. One winner in each division was selected as winner based on the originality from the essay writer. 
 
John Daniel Day of Muhlenberg County won the age 9-13 division; Auburn Anderson of Pulaski County was selected the winner of the age 14-17 division and Walton Grider of Hardin County won the age 18-21 division.   Winners will use their earnings to purchase heifers from Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association members.   Winning essays can be found on FCS’s website, www.e-farmcredit.com.
           
Joel Oney, regional vice president of Farm Credit in Lexington, Kentucky, said the two agriculture organizations launched the initiative last May with the objective to help ensure Kentucky’s youth continue to have a vested interest in the cattle industry. “It’s a great way to support the members of the Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association. It also creates a good base of youth who could be future members of the association and are involved in and maintain the cattle industry,” he said. 
 
Oney added that Farm Credit was delighted to fund and support the initiative. “Each year, we allocate funds for projects that advance our stewardship mission to support youth and young farmer groups. This program supports both, in terms of the KCA as well as the youth who are so vital to the future of Kentucky’s farm and cattle industry.”
 
About Farm Credit Services of Mid-America

Farm Credit Services of Mid-America is a $16 billion financial services cooperative serving over 85,500 farmers, agribusinesses and rural residents in Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana and Tennessee. The association provides loans for all farm and rural living purposes including real estate, operating equipment and housing and related services such as crop insurance and life insurance, and vehicle, equipment and building leases. For more information about Farm Credit, call 1-800-444-FARM or visit them on the web at www.e-farmcredit.com.
 
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Kentucky Cattlemen's Association Heifer Initiative

Several Farm Credit staff members were on hand at the annual Kentucky Cattlemen's Association banquet to present a $3,000 sponsorship check for the newly created Kentucky Youth Heifer Initiative.  Pictured are David Sparrow with the KCA, along with Farm Credit staff members Joel Oney, Terry Waldridge, Mike Furnish and Mickey Staton.  The winners are featured in the front and are John Daniel Day, Walton Grider and Auburn Anderson.

2009-10 Winners include (click on name to be taken to winning essay)