Those named national winners for 2023 are Carl and Betsy Long of Pennsylvania, Jon and Amy Hegeman of Alabama, Brad and Tara Peacock of Arkansas, and Kyle and Rachel Zwieg of Wisconsin. They were selected for the award based on their progress in an agricultural career, extent of soil and water conservation practices, and contributions to the well-being of the community, state, and nation. National winners received an award from corporate sponsor John Deere and the opportunity to travel to future agricultural events to represent the NOYF program.
Carl and Betsy Long raise potatoes, green beans, wheat, and oats near Coudersport, Pennsyvlania. Jon and Amy Hegeman run a commercial greenhouse operation near Anniston, Alabama. Kyle and Rachel Zwieg of Ixonia, Wisconsin operate a dairy and crop farm. Brad and Tara Peacock raise soybeans, rice, and corn near Bald Knob, Arkansas.
The other finalists for the award were Andrew and Brooke Birchen of Pearl City, Illinois; Jake and Kyli Stevens of Livonia, New York; Max and Halie Schultz of Bay City, Michigan; Mike Brooks of Elmer, New Jersey; Michael and Kassidy Carter of Broxton, Georgia; and Tracy Schohr and Ryan Imbach of Gridley, California.
The annual NOYF Awards Congress highlights a different area of U.S. agriculture each year. This year, Wisconsin’s Alice in Dairyland kicked off the conference as a keynote speaker, and the group toured the region to learn more about agricultural operations in Wisconsin. Among the tour sites were Wayside Dairy, Drumlin Goat Dairy, Keller’s Retired Tractor Museum, the Farm Wisconsin Discovery Center, and Lambeau Field.
The NOYF program selected its first group of national winners in 1955. The program is sponsored by John Deere, administered by the Outstanding Farmers of America, and supported by the National Association of Conservation Districts and the National Association of County Agricultural Agents.
For more information or to nominate an agricultural producer for the award, visit www.outstandingfarmers.com
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