County couple named finalists for Young Farmer Achievement Award

INDIANAPOLIS -- A Cloverdale couple was announced today to be among three finalists for the Indiana Farm Bureau Young Farmer Achievement Award Finalists.

Joe and Angela Mann were named finalists, along with Paul Rumple of Adams County and Orville and Jessica Haney of Kosciusko County.

The Young Farmer Achievement Award recognizes young farmers whose farm management techniques and commitment to their communities set a positive example for those involved in production agriculture.

The Manns are partners in White Oaks Farms with Joe's father and two brothers. More than 7,500 crop acres are under production, growing corn, soybeans and wheat.

White Oaks Farms also includes a wean-to-finish swine operation marketing 20,000 hogs per year. The couple also owns Rolling Meadows Plant Farm, a retail greenhouse business.

The Manns live near Cloverdale with their three children, Brady, 6; Emily, 3; and Nathan, 2.

Finalists were also named for the Excellence in Agriculture Award. They are Mark and Denise Scarborough, LaPorte County; Jason and Erin Tower, Dubois County; and Steve and Kimmie Gauck, Decatur County.

The Young Farmer Excellence in Agriculture Award recognizes young farmers who are involved in agriculture in ways other than as farm owners.

The winners in both competitions will be announced at the Indiana Farm Bureau state convention, which will be held Nov. 19 through 21 in Fort Wayne at the Grand Wayne Convention Center. The state winners will then represent Indiana at the American Farm Bureau Federation annual convention in Seattle in January.