Vermilion Parish Wins Big at 102nd Annual Louisiana Farm Bureau Convention

By Avery J. Davidson

Louisiana Farm Bureau

New Orleans—The Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation culminated the opening night of its 102nd Annual Convention with Vermilion Parish Farm Bureau capturing the President’s Award for the fifth straight year.

The President’s Award recognizes the parish Farm Bureau that excels in membership, advocacy and communications over the past year. Louisiana Farm Bureau President Jim Harper presented the award to Vermilion Parish Farm Bureau President Bryan Simon Thursday night at the New Orleans Marriott.

Also winning big Thursday night were Aaron and Jamie Lee of Vermilion Parish, who received the Louisiana Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers Achievement Award. The Lees grow sugarcane and rice on their farm outside Kaplan. They also raise cattle and crawfish.

The Achievement Award recognizes farmers and ranchers aged 35 an under who have thriving operations and a strong involvement in Farm Bureau. Prizes for the Achievement Award include $35,000 cash from the Southern Farm Bureau Casualty Insurance Company, an all-expense paid trip to the 2025 American Farm Bureau Federation Convention in San Antonio, Texas, as well as other cash prices.

The Discussion Meet is an opportunity for Louisiana Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers to show their skills at tackling topics in a group setting, much like at a governmental meeting. The topic for the final round of this year’s Discussion Meet focused on how Louisiana Farm Bureau can help young farmers and ranchers diversify their crops and revenue streams.

The judges named Hannah Devall of St. Martin Parish the winner of 2024 Discussion Meet. Devall receives a John Deere Gator utility vehicle, courtesy of the Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company, an all-expense paid trip to the 2025 American Farm Bureau Federation Convention in San Antonio, Texas, as well as other cash prices.

Clint and Raquella Manuel of Evangeline Parish are the winners of the 2024 Louisiana Farm Bureau Excellence in Agriculture award. The award is designed to recognize Young Farmers and Ranchers who do not derive the majority of their income from an owned agricultural operation, but are actively contributing and growing through their involvement in Farm Bureau and the agriculture industry.

For winning, the Manuels receives $7,500 toward the purchase of a 4-wheel ATV, courtesy of Louisiana Land Bank, an all-expense paid trip to the 2025 American Farm Bureau Federation Convention in San Antonio, Texas, as well as other cash prices.

Amanda Duhon of Lafayette Parish is the 2024 Louisiana Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers Outstanding Young Farm Woman. Duhon is a first-generation row-crop farmer and a fourth-generation rancher. She and her husband, Kelsi, grow sugarcane on 400 acres and have 40 head of cattle just outside of Maurice, La.

For winning, Duhon receives a $2,000 cash prize from the Louisiana Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance, an all-expense paid trip to the 2025 American Farm Bureau Federation Convention in San Antonio, Texas, as well as other cash prices.

The Louisiana Farm Bureau Ag in the Classroom committee recognized Chantelle Hataway as the Teacher of the Year. Hataway teaches third grade at Lafargue Elementary in Effie, Louisiana. The AITC committee gives the honor every year to a teacher who does an exemplary job of incorporating agriculture into lesson plans.

Hataway receives an all-expense paid trip to the National Ag in the Classroom conference in Salt Lake City, Utah, an iPad and $500 cash from the Louisiana Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom.

The 102nd Annual Louisiana Farm Bureau Convention continues through Sunday, June 30 at the New Orleans Marriott.

For more information, visit www.lfbfconvention.org.

Founded in 1921, the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation is the state’s largest general farm organization representing more than 145,000 member families.