The Iowa Farm Bureau will recognize outstanding young farmers and select the Discussion Meet winner at its 2013 annual meeting Dec. 3-4 at the Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center in Des Moines.

The young farmer awards, sponsored by John Deere, will be presented during an annual meeting luncheon on Wednesday, Dec. 4 at 12:30 p.m. The awards will include the Young Farmer Achievement Award and the Young Farmer Discussion Meet winner. In addition, the 2013 Bob Joslin Award winner, Randy Dreher of Audubon, will be recognized.

As the winner of the Joslin Award, Dreher will receive a John Deere home and workshop certificate, valued at $1,500, and a $750 Fast Stop gift card. In addition, he will receive an expense-paid trip to the 2014 American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) annual meeting in San Antonio and the 2014 Growmark annual meeting in Chicago.

Achievement Award

The Achievement Award winner will receive a John Deere tractor/loader combo (5-7 Series) for one year or a 300-hour lease, or a John Deere TX Gator. In addition, the winner will receive a 90-day no principle, no interest (NPNI) John Deere Financial Certificate, up to $5,000. The winner will also represent Iowa in the national Young Farmer Achievement Award competition at the 2014 AFBF annual meeting in San Antonio.

Discussion Meet finals

The Young Farmer Discussion Meet will be held Tuesday, Dec. 3, starting at 3 p.m. with the semi-finals and at 4:30 p.m. for the finals during the Iowa Farm Bureau annual meeting.

Discussion Meet contestants are Lydia Whitman, Clinton County; Dan Hansen, Polk County; Ben Hollingshead, Boone County; Brad Black, Calhoun County; Rachel Black, Calhoun County; and Val Plagge, Franklin County.

The Discussion Meet winner will receive a John Deere X320 riding lawn more; a 90-day NPNI John Deere Financial Certificate, up to $5,000; and an expense-paid trip to the 2014 Growmark annual meeting in Chicago. The winner will also represent Iowa at the national Young Farmer Discussion meet at the 2014 AFBF annual meeting in San Antonio.