Farm Bureau: Harbages named Ohio Farm Bureau 2004 Outstanding Young Farmers

COLUMBUS – Brian and Jennifer Harbage of South Charleston have been named the 2004 Outstanding Young Farmers by the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation.
The Harbages’ operation produces grain, forage, straw, sweet corn, peas and beef cattle raised for the Laura’s Lean Beef branded program.
Both have been active in the Clark County Farm Bureau where Brian is currently the county president. He has also served on young farmer and safety committees and as leader of an advisory council. Jennifer is a past county Farm Bureau women’s trustee and advisory council secretary.
The couple has expanded a 40-acre tract of land Brian received from his father 15 years ago to 908 acres.
As winners, the Harbages receive an expense-paid trip to the American Farm Bureau Federation annual meeting in Charlotte, N.C., in January to represent Ohio in the national young farmer contest.
Excellence in agriculture. Dusty and Cheryl Sonnenberg of Henry County won the farm group’s Excellence in Agriculture contest.
The award recognizes successful young people 35 or younger who are involved in farming but whose primary occupation is not farming or owning an agricultural business.
Dusty Sonnenberg is an agricultural extension agent and Cheryl is a former home economics teacher. Together, they operate a direct market freezer beef business. The couple also markets the Holstein dairy beef at the Waterville Farm Market.
They have worked in numerous Henry County Farm Bureau program areas including membership, advisory councils, discussion meet and young farmers.
They also receive a trip to Charlotte to compete in the national contest.
Discussion meet. Kim Davis of Carrollton won the 2004 Farm Bureau discussion meet.
She and three other finalists discussed the topic “What effect will country-of-origin labeling have on American agriculture.” The discussion meet tests participants’ subject knowledge, problem-solving abilities and personal and small group communications skills.
Davis, who was also elected to the state board of trustees during last week’s annual meeting, receives an expense-paid trip to the American Farm Bureau annual meeting in Charlotte, N.C., in January to represent Ohio in the national contest.
Davis and her husband, Todd, have three children. They produce beef cattle and hay while farming with Todd’s parents.