Montgomery County Farm Bureau is pleased to announce that Brian and Dacia Brown have been chosen as finalist in the 2010 Excellence in Agriculture Award Contest. The “Excellence in Agriculture Award” recognizes extraordinary accomplishments in service to agriculture by those individuals or couples whose primary source of income is not from production agriculture.

The contest was open to all Illinois Farm Bureau members between the ages of 18 and 35. Applicants could apply as individuals or couples. Brian and Dacia were judged on their county & state Farm Bureau® involvement, other leadership experience, awards and recognition received.

Prior to September 1, Brian and Dacia and Tim McDermott from Monroe County, the other state finalists, will be invited to the Illinois Agriculture Association (ILFB) to assist them in updating their application and presentation training as they prepare for the state contest. The Browns will travel to the 2010 IAA Annual Meeting in St. Louis to complete the final stage of judging with a presentation. The state winner then advances to the national competition at the American Farm Bureau Federation Annual Meeting in January. The national winner holds the coveted title of the best of the best and is awarded a bunch of goodies, cash, chainsaws and a year-long use of a tractor and a pick-up truck!