San Antonio, TX (January 14, 2014) – Mercer County’s Linda McClanahan bested competitors from around the country at the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) annual convention this week to take home the Young Farmer & Rancher “Excellence in Agriculture Award.”

This award recognizes young farmers and ranchers who do not derive the majority of their income from an agricultural operation, but who actively contribute and grow through their involvement in agriculture, their leadership ability and participation in Farm Bureau and other organizations.

McClanahan, who was also winner of Kentucky Farm Bureau’s 2013 “Excellence in Agriculture Award,” is a Mercer County extension agent for agriculture and natural resources. She also produces a daily radio program on WHBN, writes an article each week for The Harrodsburg Herald, creates industry-focused newsletters for her farming community audience, and offers her expertise as a guest columnist in the Mercer County Cattlemen’s Association newsletter.

As the winner of this national competition, McClanahan was presented with her choice of either a 2014 Chevrolet Silverado or a 2014 GMC Sierra, courtesy of GM, and a paid registration to the 2014 Young Farmer & Rancher Leadership Conference in Virginia Beach, VA, February 7-10.

“This award means a lot to me. It means that my work has been impactful, the judges were able to see the importance of the programs that I have done, and they were able to see my passion for agriculture,” said McClanahan. “It also means that all the hours, the night meetings, the weekend events, and all the things that I have done have paid off, but, more importantly, that they truly have made an impact on the industry in Mercer County and throughout Kentucky.”

For more information about the 95th American Farm Bureau Federation annual meeting, held in San Antonio, TX, visit annualmeeting.fb.org.