At last weekend’s American Farm Bureau Convention in Anaheim, a Henry County woman placed third in the Young Farmers & Ranchers Excellence in Agriculture competition, a tremendous honor.
“I was so shocked and honored and humbled by the things that I have had the opportunity to participate in through Farm Bureau and through my work, and as a Hoosier,” says Megan Espinda, Henry County Farm Bureau board member and agricultural liaison for the Indiana Department of Environmental Management. “I was truly honored to be able to be up there.”
Espinda talked about serving as a bridge between farmers and regulators, ensuring that policies are fair, practical and supportive of the long-term viability of agriculture.
“There is such a strong relationship between environmental sustainability and the art of farming. They’re so interconnected and I personally, I feel that I am a disruptor and I want to make things better and more efficient and work well. I’ve been in my position for about three and a half years. So, we’ve done a lot of work to help build that relationship and that collaboration between environmental regulations and the ag community and that it is a partnership.”
The Excellence in Agriculture Award recognizes young farmers and ranchers who do not derive the majority of their income from a farming operation, but who actively contribute and grow their involvement in Farm Bureau, the agriculture industry, and other community organizations.
As the third-place winner, Espinda will receive a $2,500 Investing in Your Future cash prize from AmericanAg, a Case IH-branded safe, as well as $2,500 worth of Stanley Black & Decker merchandise.
“The first person that I need to thank is my husband, Zack. He has been my rock through all of this. He got to listen to me do my presentation maybe 500 times.”
She also went on to thank her mom, brother, and Indiana Farm Bureau staff.
Hear my full interview with Espinda below.
