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FARMER IDEA EXCHANGE CONTEST SEEKS BRIGHT IDEAS
MONTGOMERY, Ala. -- Got an idea worth sharing? Maybe one that's worth money?Perhaps, it's time you entered the Farmer Idea Exchange Contest, sponsored by the American Farm Bureau Federation. The contest, open only to members of Farm Bureau organizations such as the Alabama Farmers Federation, is designed to showcase inventions, equipment modifications, innovative crops, marketing techniques, management systems and farming practices developed by farmers and ranchers. The entrant whose idea is judged to be Best of Show for the 2007 AFBF Convention will receive one year's free use of a New Holland TV-145 Bidirectional tractor. The American Farm Bureau Federation will also provide $500 cash awards to each entrant of the three ideas selected as Most Innovative, Most Widely Usable, and Most Likely to Improve an Individual Farmer's/Rancher's Income. To claim prizes, participants must attend the AFBF convention. Up to 15 ideas from around the country will be selected to display their winning idea as part of the 2007 AFBF Convention in Salt Lake City, Utah, Jan. 7--8, 2007. Idea Exchange categories are: Ag equipment -- Inventions, modified equipment and machinery. Safety, Health, Accessibility -- Anything that has been done to make a machine or farm/ranch operation safer, healthier, or to make them more accessible/user-friendly for those who are physically challenged. Workshop -- Tools, jigs and methods that make things easier in the shop. Livestock/Equine (Animal Agriculture) -- May include, but not limited to, new breeds, handling and management equipment and methods, pest control methods, new feed rations, equipment or methods that improve weight gain or reduce animal mortality. Cropping Systems -- New crops, exotics, tillage methods, crop rotations and cover crops. Marketing/Management -- May include, but not limited to, new marketing management tools, methods of adding value to your raw products, creative use of equipment, computers, buildings or record keeping systems to better manage your operation. Conservation/Improved Efficiencies -- Conservation practices and/or systems and techniques that improve soil quality, wildlife habitat or populations, water quality/quantity, energy production, energy conservation, or net farm income. Buildings -- May include, but not limited to, innovative designs and modifications that reduce animal disease and stress, save time or construction costs and improve crop quality. Alabama Farmers Federation members must submit their completed application forms no later than Sept. 8 to: Mike Tidwell, Organization Director, Alabama Farmers Federation, 2108 East South Blvd., Montgomery, AL 36116, phone (334) 613-4328. The American Farm Bureau Federation will accept only entries forwarded by the state organizations by Sept. 22. AFBF will announce winners by Oct. 17. The application and information for the 2007 Farmer Idea Exchange Award is now available for download at www.fb.org/programs/farmerx/.
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