Awards recognize achievements by young agriculturalists

» December 4, 2006 «

Innovation, determination to succeed and commitment to lead characterize the two couples recognized with statewide awards presented today by the California Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmers & Ranchers program.

The Prock family

Ray and Erica Prock of Denair earned the YF&R Achievement Award. Steve and Caroline McShane of Prunedale were named winners of the Excellence in Agriculture Award.

The YF&R Achievement Award recognizes farm management skills, leadership qualities and service to Farm Bureau and community.

The Procks work on the family's 500-cow dairy, which Ray manages with his father and brother. To remain competitive and provide milk with the desired features for cheese making, the dairy has begun growing more of its own feed and changed its mix of cattle breeds. Ray oversaw creation of a wireless computer network to speed and improve decision making on the dairy. He serves on the Stanislaus County Farm Bureau board of directors and the state Young Farmers and Ranchers Committee.

The Excellence in Agriculture award honors young people who actively contribute through involvement in agriculture and Farm Bureau, but who do not derive the majority of income from an owned farming operation.

CFBF President Doug Mosebar with Steve and Caroline McShane

Steve McShane is a partner in a retail/wholesale nursery; Caroline McShane works as an engineer who works with farmers to prevent erosion and enhance water quality. Both have been active in numerous civic and agricultural organizations, and stress that farmers should act as "ambassadors for agriculture, sending a message to fellow citizens that the ag industry is strongly committed to many local causes." Steve McShane currently serves as statewide chair of the Young Farmers and Ranchers Committee. He and Caroline are each past winners of the annual YF&R Discussion Meet contest.

The Procks and the McShanes received their awards during the California Farm Bureau Federation Annual Meeting in Anaheim. They will represent California in national competitions to be held during the American Farm Bureau Federation Annual Meeting next month in Salt Lake City, Utah.

As winners of the Achievement Award, the Procks earned $1,000 from the California Farm Bureau Federation plus $1,500 from the California Farm Credit Association; $1,000 from Bank of America; $500 from Dodge Trucks; a $750 Allied/Nationwide Insurance Award of Excellence; and a $250 State Compensation Insurance Fund Award of Distinction.

They also receive use of a Kubota tractor for one year, furnished by Kubota Tractor Corp.

For winning the Excellence in Agriculture Award, the McShanes received $500 from the California Farm Bureau Federation; $500 from Allied/Nationwide Insurance; $500 from Dodge Trucks; and $100 from Bank of America.

The California Farm Bureau Federation, the state's largest farm organization, works to protect family farms and ranches on behalf of nearly 92,000 members. The Young Farmers and Ranchers program encourages members aged 18 to 35 to be active leaders in agriculture.

Contact: Dave Kranz
Phone: 916/561-5550
news@cfbf.com

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