Julie Conover, of Holden, won the Missouri Farm Bureau (MOFB) Young Farmers and Ranchers (YF&R) Excellence in Agriculture Award during the organization’s 104th annual meeting December 4 at the Lake of the Ozarks.

The Excellence in Agriculture Award is designed to recognize young farmers and ranchers who have not received a majority of their income from an owned production agriculture enterprise for the past three years.

Conover was recognized for her involvement in Farm Bureau, agriculture and her community by MOFB President Blake Hurst during the annual YF&R breakfast. She received a $500 check from the MOFB Foundation for Agriculture and a $500 check from Ford Motor Company.

The Johnson County Farm Bureau member also won a trip to New Orleans to represent Missouri at the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) YF&R Achievement Award Contest this January. The contest is part of the AFBF Annual Meeting where they will compete for the grand prize of a new Ford truck and paid registration to the AFBF Fusion Conference in Milwaukee, courtesy of Country Financial. Runner up wins a Case IH Farmall 50A tractor from Case IH. Third and fourth place earn 40”combination roll top tool cabinets and a $500 parts card from Case IH, along with $2,000 of Stanley Black & Decker merchandise.

Conover is a third-generation Angus breeder and farm owner in Johnson County raising cattle and pigs with her husband Adam. She earned two bachelor’s degrees from Michigan State University and began her career in Indiana as an agricultural education instructor and FFA advisor. While teaching, she received her master’s degree in agricultural and extension education from Iowa State University.

In 2013, she joined Michigan State University Extension as the state 4-H livestock and veterinary science educator. She worked with faculty and Extension staff, 4-H volunteers and stakeholders to evaluate and implement statewide programs that provided opportunities for youth to develop content knowledge and life skills. Today, she is the general manager of the Missouri Angus Association. As the sole employee, she manages the business affairs of the Association, conducts statewide events, maintains membership, coordinates sale management, and provides member services. She is also editor for a publication that goes out ten times annually.

Second place in the contest went to Jordan and Megan Richner, of El Dorado Springs in Cedar County. The couple received $200 and an expense-paid trip to the AFBF Annual Meeting. Placing third to win $100 were Dustin and Kyla Estes, of Sedgewickville in Bollinger County.

-30-