East Carroll Parish Grain Farmer Wins Top Young Farmer Award in Louisiana

Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation

With 7,500 acres of sprawling farmland in East Carroll Parish, Matt Dennis has a lot on his plate.

This year, he’s got something new on the farm—the 2021 Young Farmer and Rancher Achievement Award.  The award was presented during the Louisiana Farm Bureau Annual Convention, held partly in person and online for the second year in a row. 

Dennis has streamlined his farming operation for maximum efficiency and productivity, but what makes him stand out is his eye on the future.

“Eventually, self-driving tractors will be a big thing—I think that’s the future,” Dennis said.  “Labor is hard to find, and the management software also keeps up with how many gallons of chemical you’ve used, how much money you’ve spent in an area, which really makes things more efficient.”

As the YF&R Achievement Award winner, Dennis wins a $35,000 cash prize courtesy of the Southern Farm Bureau Casualty Insurance Company, an all-expense paid trip to the 2022 American Farm Bureau Convention in Atlanta, Georgia, and a $250 Choice Hotel gift card, both courtesy of the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation, and a $250 Farm Bureau Bank Card, courtesy of Louisiana Farm Bureau Insurance Companies. 

Matt Dennis of East Carroll Parish wins the 2021 Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmers & Ranchers Achievement Award. The award was presenting by Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmers & Ranchers state chair Kacie Luckett, left, and Louisiana Farm Bureau President Jim Harper, right, on Saturday, June 12, 2021 at the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmers & Ranchers Business Session.

The 2021 Young Farm Woman is Rachel Duncan of Boyce, La.  In addition to her work with cattle and soybeans at R&R Farms with her husband, Robert, Duncan runs Bayou Petal Flower Farm.  She comes full circle with the fresh-cut flower business—which started as an idea through Young Farmers and Ranchers.

“Robert thought I was crazy when I came up with it, but our friend through Young Farmers and Ranchers said I had to do it,” Duncan said.  “Why not diversify and try something different?  Flowers make people happy.  They bring joy, they bring light, they bring a little love to people's home.”

As the Young Farm Woman, Rachel will receive a $2,000 Farm Bureau Bank Gift Card, courtesy of the Louisiana Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company; a trip to the American Farm Bureau YF&R Leadership Conference in Louisville, KY in March, 2022, courtesy of the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation; $500 cash, courtesy of BASF; a $250 Farm Bureau Bank Gift Card, courtesy of the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation; and a $250 Farm Bureau Bank Gift Card, courtesy of the Louisiana Farm Bureau Insurance Companies.

Rachel Duncan of Rapides Parish wins the 2021 Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmers & Ranchers Outstanding Young Farm Woman Award. The award was presenting by Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation Federation Young Farmers & Ranchers state chair Kacie Luckett, left, and Louisiana Farm Bureau President Jim Harper, right, on Saturday, June 12, 2021 at the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmers & Ranchers Business Session.

Jessie Hoover of Livingston Parish won the 2021 Louisiana Farm Bureau Young Farmers & Ranchers Discussion Meet Award.  Hoover won the award for her answers to questions about conservation and YF&R recruiting. 

“One thing I think we can do as Young Farmers and Ranchers is develop our elevator speeches,” Hoover said.  “That’s where if someone asks you on an elevator ‘why should I join,’ you have a ready and passionate answer for them that will at least get their interest.”

For her win, Hoover will receive a John Deere 4x2 Gator Utility Vehicle, courtesy of Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company; a trip to the AFBF Convention in Atlanta, Georgia, January 2022, courtesy of LFBF; $750 Cash, courtesy of Gowan Company; $500 Cash, courtesy of Syngenta; a $250 Farm Bureau Bank Gift Card, courtesy of LFBF; and a $250 Farm Bureau Bank Gift Card, courtesy of Louisiana Farm Bureau Insurance Companies.

Jessie Hoover of Livingston Parish wins the 2021 Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmers & Ranchers Discussion Meet Award. The award was presenting by Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmers & Ranchers state chair Kacie Luckett, left, and Louisiana Farm Bureau President Jim Harper, right, on Saturday, June 12, 2021 at the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmers & Ranchers Business Session.

Jami Becnel of Jefferson, Plaquemines, St. Bernard and Orleans Parishes won the 2021 Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmers & Ranchers Excellence in Agriculture Award.  The YF&R Excellence in Agriculture Award competition is designed as an opportunity for young farmers and ranchers to earn recognition while actively contributing and growing through their involvement in Farm Bureau and agriculture. The ideal candidate, or candidates, for the Excellence in Agriculture Award is an individual or couple who does not have the majority of their net income subject to normal agricultural production risk.

For winning the Excellence in Ag award, Becnel will receive $7500 credit toward the purchase of a 4-wheel ATV, courtesy of Louisiana Land Bank; a trip to the AFBF Convention in Atlanta, Georgia, January 2022, courtesy of LFBF; a $250 Farm Bureau Bank Gift Card, courtesy of LFBF; and a $250 Farm Bureau Bank Gift Card, courtesy of Louisiana Farm Bureau Insurance Companies.

Jami Becnel of Jefferson, Plaquemines, St. Bernard and Orleans Parishes wins the 2021 Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmers & Ranchers Excellence in Agriculture Award. The award was presenting by Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmers & Ranchers state chair Kacie Luckett, left, and Louisiana Farm Bureau President Jim Harper, right, on Saturday, June 12, 2021 at the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmers & Ranchers Business Session.