Abby and Slayton Hoelscher
Adrienne and Alton Synatschk
Cotton Couples Among Finalists For TFB Outstanding YF&R Award
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ach year, Texas Farm Bureau’s Outstanding Young Farmers & Ranchers competition recognizes the accomplishments of some of the state’s top agricultural leaders between the ages of 18 and 35. The YF&R contest rewards the ambition, fortitude and dedication displayed by these individuals. The 2020 Outstanding YF&R finalists are Slayton and Abby Hoelscher of Wall, Alton and Adrienne Synatschk of Olton, and Matt and Jessica Hanslik of Halletsville. Two of the couples — the Hoelschers and the Synatschks — grow cotton. “These young men and women work hard. They serve Texas Farm Bureau, their communities and Texas agriculture with strong dedication,” says TFB President Russell Boening. “We’re honored to recognize their passion and drive to provide food, fiber and fuel to families across the world.” Finalists are chosen from each of TFB’s 13 districts. A panel of volunteer judges visited the finalists on their farms. Cotton Couples
Slayton and Abby Hoelscher grow cotton, corn, grain sorghum, peanuts and hay in Tom Green and Haskell counties. Slayton is a first-generation farmer whose passion for agriculture began with a small garden and grew to a thriving farming operation. The couple is implementing minimal and no-till practices on their farms to enhance microbial activity and reduce soil erosion. Abby also works at Mueller Metals and Spring Creek Products in San Angelo. The Hoelschers serve as the District 6 representatives on TFB’s YF&R Advisory Committee. Slayton also serves on the Tom Green County Farm Bureau board of directors, and he is the county YF&R chair. They are also both active in state YF&R
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COTTON FARMING | DECEMBER 2020
events and county activities. Alton and Adrienne Synatschk grow cotton, corn, grain sorghum and wheat. They raise stocker cattle, maintain a cowcalf herd and operate several custom businesses — spraying, swathing and trucking. In addition, Alton farms in a separate partnership with his two brothers. Adrienne also works at the Olton Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture. The couple has four children. The young couple is active in TFB and Lamb County Farm Bureau. Alton servers as the president of Lamb County Farm Bureau and is a past participant of TFB’s AgLead program, a two-year leadership development program that teaches members about agriculture and leadership from a new perspective. Adrienne is in the current class of AgLead. Matt and Jessica Hanslik have a crossbred cattle operation and raise purebred Charolais cattle in Lavaca County. They also grow corn and hay. YF&R Prizes
The winner of this year’s TFB Outstanding YF&R contest will take home the title to a ¾-ton diesel pickup courtesy of Texas Farm Bureau Insurance Cos.; and a $5,000 cash award, courtesy of Farm Credit. The two runners-up will receive a $500 cash award courtesy of Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance Co. The state winner will represent Texas in the national Achievement Award competition hosted by the American Farm Bureau Federation in January 2021. The national winners and runners-up also will be rewarded for their achievements. The Texas Farm Bureau contributed this article. COTTONFARMING.COM
