We Are.......

GOING TO HAWAII!!!!!!

Zak and I are involved with Farm Bureau- with the Young Farmer and Rancher Program- last Febuary we went to Washington DC with other couples to meet with congress. This past spring (this is our 3rd year doing it) we filled out an application for the excellence in ag award.

Here is a little more about it:

The Young Farmers & Ranchers Excellence in Agriculture Award recognizes young farmers and ranchers who actively contribute and grow through their involvement in agriculture and Farm Bureau. The award is designed for an individual or couple who do not have the majority of their income subject to normal production risk. Competitors are judged on a combination of their:

• Involvement in agriculture.
• Leadership ability.
• Participation in Farm Bureau and other organizations (i.e., civic, service and community).

So anyways last night was the Award Ceremony, there was 13 couples from the state of Utah who had applied for it. They anounced the 2nd runner up for the award, then the 1st runner up, at that point I knew we weren't going to win anything because we never had been runners up, then they called Zak and my name- and we were both totally shocked!!!
Along with the trip to Hawaii (were we will compete nationally with couples from all the other states), we were also rewarded a brand new four wheeler, a helmet, insurance on the four wheeler and $500 for winning this award!
Every year Farm Bureau holds there national meeting in different places- how lucky this year it is to be in Hawaii!

Zak also competed in the Discussion Meet (this is his 4th year doing this), it started Wednesday night in Layton, he did 2 half hour rounds of discussing farm topics with 3 other competerors. He made it to the final 8, that night was another half hour of discussing and coming up with ideas/resolutions to some agricultural concerns. Then they narrow it down to 4, which Zak made it to the final four. On Thursday was anothe half hour discussion. He did so great- it is very nerve racking for both of us- more for him of course- lots of pressure and quick thinking! I really thought he had won.
Last night, they announced the winners at the Awards Ceremony-- the winner was announced after we already won the excellence in ag award. Zak won 1st runner up-- which is totally awesome- he won $300.
It all worked out, because you can't go to Nationals in 2 areas.

Final 4 Discussion Meets

Awards Night- when Zak took 1st runner up

HERE WE COME HAWAII
It will be fun- my parents will be there with Farm Bureau, then some other couples we know from our Washington DC trip will be there!