Red Hill Couple Named State Young Farm Family

A Franklin County family has been named Georgia’s Young Farm Family Winner by the Georgia Young Farmers Association.

The award was presented to Hal and Kelly Fowler at the Association’s annual convention on January 30-31, 2015.

The Georgia Development Authority in conjunction with the Georgia Young Farmer Association sponsors the competition.

Along with a cash prize from Georgia Development Authority, Atlantic Southern Equipment will provide the Fowler

Family with the use of a new Challenger Tractor for a year as part of the prizes for this competition.

As part of the competition, Hal and Kelly filled out an application for the State Association with the help of their local advisor, Owen Thomason.

The application asked questions about the history and future plans for the farm, farm record keeping practices, farm care, safety and environmental concerns.

The couple also provided information about leadership activities within the Franklin County Young Farmer Association and community groups.

They were also visited by judges from across the state that interviewed the family and looked at the farm operation.

The Fowlers have three children and live on a farm in the Red Hill Community. Hal has been a member of the Franklin County Young Farmer Chapter for over 8 years.

The Fowlers join a long list of Franklin County Young Farmer members that have made the state finals in the Farm Family Judging contest.

According to Thomason, Franklin County holds the state record of having 23 state finalists in the last 25 years.

The Franklin County Young Farmers is an agriculture base organization that provides education, leadership and community development to adults eighteen and older interested in agriculture.