St. Landry Wins President’s Trophy, Oil City Couple Named Top Young Farmers

By Farm Bureau News Service Reports

NEW ORLEANS — The St. Landry Parish Farm Bureau was awarded the coveted President’s Trophy by the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation at the organization’s 89th annual meeting here.

St. Landry Parish Farm Bureau President Carlos Polotzola accepted the award on behalf of the parish membership from Farm Bureau President Ronnie Anderson. The award is the highest honor bestowed during the farm group’s annual meeting and topped a list of award winners that included the state’s top young farmer, top young farm woman, award of excellence winner, discussion meet winner and top ag educator.

“I'm so proud of everyone in the parish who worked so hard to promote agriculture,” Polotzola said. “It’s been a long time coming and all of our parish membership deserve this trophy.”

The win was a first for St. Landry since the President's Trophy was first presented in 1969. The award recognizes outstanding contributions to Louisiana agriculture by the volunteer leadership and farmer and rancher members. The parish was among 61 parish Farm Bureaus recognized for their efforts in promoting agriculture. The organization also recognized ag educators, farm journalists and young farmers from the organization’s Young Farmers and Ranchers programs across the state.

Also recognized during Thursday night’s awards program were Marty and Crystal Wooldridge, of Caddo Parish. The couple was named the Farm Bureau’s 2011 Young Farmer and Rancher Achievement Award winners. The award is presented to farm couples 35 years old and younger whose farming operations balance production, profit and environmental concerns. 

The Wooldridges run a diversified, 500-head cow-calf and hay operation in Oil City. Marty holds a B.S in general studies, while Crystal has a B.S. in finance. Marty also is a graduate of the LSU AgLeadership Development program.

“We’re honored to be recognized among our farming neighbors,” Marty Wooldridge, 33, said. “We strive to raise the best animals possible. Ours is a family run business and I think we've worked hard to keep the farming tradition alive.''

Part of the Wooldridge’s prize package includes a $35,000 cash credit towards the purchase of 2011 General Motors vehicle from the dealer of their choice, savings bonds and other prizes. As Louisiana’s state winner the couple will compete for the national title in January in Honolulu during the annual meeting of the American Farm Bureau. The two other finalists for the award were Bobby and Melissa Morris of West Baton Rouge and Monte and Dawn Rosinski of Scott, in Lafayette Parish.
>> View the Video Profiles of the YF&R Achievement Award Finalists 

Former Farm Bureau Director of Public Relations Regnal Wallace was presented with the organization's Lifetime Achievement Award at Thursday's awards program. Wallace, who served as PR director for 29 years, was the creator of the Farm Bureau's weekly television program ''This Week in Louisiana Agriculture.'' TWILA celebrates is 30th year on the air this year. Wallace is currently farm director for KMAR radio in Winnsboro.

The Farm Bureau named Dawn Rosinski, of Scott, its Outstanding Young Farm Woman for 2011. Dawn and her husband Monte operate a sugarcane farm.

“My membership in Farm Bureau is important to me,” Rosinski said. “It gives young farmers a voice and that’s very important to the survival of the family farm.” 

Taking home the YF&R Committee’s 2011 Excellence in Agriculture Award was Amelia and Russell Kent of Tangipahoa Parish. The award honors outstanding contributions to agriculture by professionals in the industry who are not primarily engaged in agriculture. Russell is an ag lender, while Amelia manages a nursery and tree operation. Together the couple operates a cow-calf operation, splitting time between their farms in Tangipahoa and East Feliciana Parishes.

“As a young farm couple we work hard to balance our day jobs and farming operation,” Amelia Kent said. “It’s sometimes difficult, but we love the farm and do what we can to make it work.” 

“Our cattle operation is important to us,” said Russell Kent. “It’s a full-time job even though we work at other jobs during the week. Our weekends and evenings are busy, but it’s something we really love doing.”

Also at Thursday’s awards program the Avoyelles Parish Women’s Leadership Committee was awarded the 2011 WLC Award of Excellence. Avoyelles Parish Women’s Leadership Committee Chair Dorothy Johnson accepted the award for her parish. The award recognizes the critical role farm women play in volunteer activities and rural life.

The 2011 Young Farmers and Ranchers Award of Merit was presented to both the Tangipahoa Parish and West Baton Rouge Parish Young Farmers and Ranchers Committees for their work in promoting agriculture to young producers. Amelia Kent accepted the award on behalf of Tangipahoa, while Heath Morris accepted on behalf of West Baton Rouge. The awards were presented by Marty Wooldridge, chair of the state YF&R Committee and Farm Bureau President Ronnie Anderson.

The Farm Bureau also recognized its Ag in the Classroom Teacher of the Year for 2011. This year’s winner was Lisa Wiggins, the librarian and third grade teacher at Northwestern State University’s Lab School in Natchitoches. Wiggins accepted the award from Farm Bureau President Ronnie Anderson and Farm Bureau AITC Chairperson Maryledden Danos.
>> View the Teacher of the Year Video

The Louisiana Farm Bureau is the state’s largest general farm organization. Founded in 1922, the Farm Bureau provides legislative, commodity, public relations and marketing resources to the state’s farmers and ranchers.