Lamar County Farmer Finalist for National Honor

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LAMAR COUNTY, Al. (WCBI)-  Lamar County dairy farmer Will Gilmer has been named a finalist in the U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance (USFRA) Faces of Farming & Ranching contest. Gilmer was selected out of more than 100 entries from farmers and ranchers across the country.

Finalists were announced at USFRA’s latest Food Dialogues event series held in New York City. Moderated by Ali Velshi, CNN chief business correspondent and anchor of “Your Money” and “World Business Today” on CNN International, expert panelists, farmers, ranchers and industry representatives discussed key topics including biotechnology, antibiotic use in farm animals and media, marketing and healthy food choices.

Gilmer said he was proud to be named a finalist and looks forward to participating in the contest.

“Being selected as a finalist for the USFRA Faces of Farming and Ranching is certainly a big honor,” said Gilmer, who works with his father on their dairy farm in Sulligent. “It will give me the opportunity to get out and have a wider audience to talk about the things I am passionate about. They’ve made good selections with all nine of us who are finalists.”

American Farm Bureau Federation President Bob Stallman said the contest is a great way for the urban and rural sectors to communicate more effectively.

“The nine candidates selected reflect the extent of diversity in agriculture across the nation,” said Stallman, who serves as chairman of USFRA. “These exceptional farmers and ranchers can bring the reality of farming and ranching to the forefront for consumers, mainstream media and influences to develop a relationship and learn more about how food gets from the farm or ranch to their plates.”

Other finalists include Chris Chinn of Missouri, Daphne Holterman of Wisconsin, Brenda Kirsch of Oregon, Tim Nilsen of California, Eric McClam of South Carolna, Katie Pratt of Illinois, Bo Stone of North Carolina and Janice Wolfinger of Ohio.

Though finalists have met with a panel of judges, online votes from the public will contribute to the final score. Vote for dairyman Will Gilmer, and help him earn the chance to share the story of Alabama agriculture nationwide. Only one vote per person per day through Dec. 15 is permitted. Eligible voters must be logged into FoodDialogues.com. Winners will be announced in January.

For more information on the Faces of Farming & Ranching program and to see footage from The Food Dialogues: New York, visit FoodDialogues.com. For information on the USFRA, contact Lisa Cassady, lcassady@usfraonline.org or (314) 749-5408.