Troy and Stacy Hadrick of Vale, SD, have been appointed to the American Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmers & Ranchers Committee.  AFBF President Bob Stallman noted, “You are among the nation’s best young farmers and ranchers.  I am thoroughly impressed by the quality of your resume and the dedication you have given to Farm Bureau and your community.”

The Hadricks live on a ranch near Vale and have three kids: Teigen, 5; Olivia, 2; and Reese, 8 months.   Stacy is an Extension Educator based in Meade County.  They were chosen as national “Excellence in Agriculture” winners by AFBF in 2004.    They served as co-chairs of the South Dakota Farm Bureau YF&R Committee in 2006, and both Troy and Stacy are graduates of the national Partners in Agriculture Leadership awards program.

“Troy and Stacy have shown excellent leadership skills in their involvement with the South Dakota YF&R committee,” said SDFB President Scott VanderWal.  “They will have a fantastic opportunity to continue to use and develop their leadership abilities through their work on the AFBF committee.”

The objective of the Young Farmer & Rancher program is to provide young producers, between the ages of 18 – 35, with opportunities to develop their leadership skills in building a more effective Farm Bureau to preserve individual freedoms and expand opportunities in agriculture.  The national YF&R committee is comprised of 16 individuals or couples from across the United States.  The committee recommends programs and activities that will encourage young farmers and ranchers to participate in both the YF&R and total Farm Bureau program.

            The Hadricks begin their tenure on March 1, 2008, and will continue through the 2010 National YF&R Leadership Conference