Rapides Parish Couple Named 2023 Top Young Farmers

By Karl Wiggers & Avery Davidson

NEW ORLEANS-Robert and Rachel Duncan of Boyce, Louisiana are the winners of the Louisiana Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers Achievement Award.

The Duncans raise cattle and soybeans on their farm in Rapides Parish, and they are also raising three young daughters who they hope will someday become the fifth generation of their family to farm.

Rachel has her own farming venture, growing flowers that she sells to local businesses and at farmers’ markets. She started out small, but she has gradually expanded her operation over the years.

Robert has focused on their cattle herd in recent years. He has been marketing their beef directly to consumers, which has helped them to make a better profit.

The Duncans say that farming is a lot of work, but it is also very rewarding. They enjoy working together as a family, and they are proud to be stewards of the land.

"We are taking care of this land for our next generation," Rachel said. "It's a very prideful thing. The generation before us kept it intact, so we're trying to keep it intact for those to come."

The Duncans are committed to sustainable farming practices. They believe that it is important to take care of the land so that it can be productive for future generations.

"When you think of sustainability, you should be able to think about doing this again next year and the next year and the next year," Robert said. "We are stewards of the land. We are taking care of this land for our next generation."

The Duncans are proof that it is possible to build a successful farming operation while also raising a family. They are committed to their land and their community, and they are excited to see what the future holds for their family farm.

For winning the YF&R Achievement Award, the Duncans receive a $35,000 cash prize, courtesy of Southern Farm Bureau Casualty Insurance Company, an all-expense paid trip to the 2024 American Farm Bureau Annual Convention in Salt Lake City, Utah where the couple will compete for the national Achievement Award, along with other prizes.