Elkhart County farmers Mike and Sarah Hertsel were declared the winners of Indiana Farm Bureau's Young Farmer Excellence in Agriculture Award. The contest results were announced Nov. 16 at INFB's annual convention, held in Indianapolis.
The award recognizes young farmers who do not derive the majority of their income from an agricultural operation they own but who are still actively contributing and growing through their involvement in Farm Bureau and agriculture. Participants are judged on their involvement in agriculture, leadership ability, and involvement and participation in Farm Bureau and other organizations.
Mike Hertsel works for Crestview Farms, a diversified grain and livestock farm. His duties include planting corn and soybeans, making hay, maintaining equipment and taking care of the farm's hogs and beef cattle.
He and Sarah live in Syracuse, Indiana, with their three young children: Elizabeth, age 7, George, 4, and Caroline, who is almost 2. Sarah is primarily a homemaker, but she also works part time as a cosmetologist at a local salon. The family also owns a small hog herd and flock of laying hens.
As Indiana's Excellence in Agriculture winners, the Hertsels receive a John Deere Gator, $3,000 cash prize and travel and expenses paid to the 2016 national convention in Orlando, Fla., where they will compete against young farmers from across the country for the American Farm Bureau's Young Farmer & Rancher Excellence in Agriculture Award.
The runners-up in INFB's contest are Jeff Demerly of White County and Jeremy and Lindsay Barron of Noble County. Runners-up receive $1,000 cash prizes.