Crone noticed for ag involvement

HERSHEY, Pa. – Pennsylvania Farm Bureau announced the winners of the Young Farmer and Rancher Discussion Meet and Excellence in Ag award.
The awards were given out during the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau’s Annual Meeting in Hershey, Pa.
Caressa Crone. Caressa Crone of Danville, Pa., was selected the winner of the award.
Crone was recognized for her involvement and leadership in agriculture, even though she does not derive the majority of her income from an agriculture operation.
Crone is a full-time licensed insurance agent for South Mountain Insurance Services, specializing in marketing and crop insurance policies to farmers in Pennsylvania.
Crone is also the wife of a partner in a family farm hog operation. She helps the operation by marketing the hogs, running grain carts during harvest, moving equipment and filling in when labor needs are required.
The winner was determined by a panel of judges who based their decision on interviews, presentations, information contained on the application, Farm Bureau experience and other leadership experience.
As the state winner, Crone receives a $500 cash award from Dodge, an expense-paid trip to the American Farm Bureau’s annual meeting in Charlotte, N.C., in January and lodging and registration for the 2005 State Young Farmer and Rancher Weekend Away.
Matthew Balliet. Matthew Balliet of Drums, Pa., was selected the winner of the Young Farmer and Rancher Discussion Meet.
Balliet, who operates a 500-acre grain farm, beat out seven other contestants to win the award.
Last year, Balliet won the Young Farmer and Rancher Achievement award.
The contestants were put in situations where they had to analyze agricultural problems and decide on solutions that best met their needs.
The discussion meet is designed to help members build communications skills, develop an understanding of important agricultural issues and explore how groups can pool resources to reach a consensus and solve problems.
The winner receives a $500 cash award from Dodge and an expense-paid trip to the American Farm Bureau’s annual meeting.