Local Family A Finalist In Ag Award

The Wenning Family of Decatur County are finalists for a Farm Bureau Award. (Photo: Linda McGurk)
The Wenning Family of Decatur County are finalists for a Farm Bureau Award. (Photo: Linda McGurk)

A Decatur County family is a finalist in this year’s Indiana Farm Bureau Excellence in Agriculture Award.

The award gives recognition to young farmers who do not derive the majority of their income from an agricultural operation they own but who are actively contributing and growing through their involvement in Farm Bureau and agriculture. Participants are judged on their involvement in agriculture, leadership ability, involvement and participation in Farm Bureau and other organizations.

Nick & Julie Wenning, Decatur County, are one of three finalists for the award.

The Wenning’s have a traditional row crop operation with other family members, but with a twist: They also raise freshwater shrimp. Nicholas also owns Wenning Excavating and Drainage, a business that puts in roughly half a million feet of field tile every year, digs basements, installs septic systems, and builds ponds and erosion control structures.

The Indiana YFEA winner receives a John Deere Gator (cash value: $8,000) courtesy of Farm Credit Services; $3,000 cash prize from Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance; and expenses paid to the 2014 national convention in San Antonio, Texas.

Runners up in both contests receive $1,000 cash prizes from Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance.