An Alabama couple competed in the American Farm Federation's Achievement Awards competition on Monday in Salt Lake City, Utah. The competition recognized the top young farmers in the country.

Brady and Anna Peaks, who grow row crops in both Lauderdale and Limestone counties, won third place in the competition.

“I'm honored,” Brady said. “Everyone there deserved it. It was humbling to be there, but it was also humbling to have the opportunity to farm every day. I don't know if that's possible. To be recognized as outstanding is an added bonus.”

“The prizes are great if you win, but the other things you get are even more valuable,” Brady said. “We've learned about ourselves, documented our growth, and physically written down our dreams and aspirations. We've also learned about each other.”

“All of that was invaluable.”

The Peek family, who finished third, received a $2,500 Investing in the Future grant from AmericanAg, $2,500 worth of merchandise from Stanley Black & Decker, and a safe sponsored by Case IH.

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Hunter McBrayer, director of the federation's Young Farmers Division, praised Brady's unique approach to farming.

“Brady has a desire to do things differently,” McBrayer said. “He was able to chart his way and I'm very proud of him and Anna. This is just another step in the right direction for their family farm.”

The Peak family, which grows corn, cotton, soybeans and wheat, also serves on the federal state wheat and feed grain commission. Anna is a member of the local Women's Leadership Committee and Brady is an ALFA graduate. He served as Chairman of the Leaders Program, State Soybean Committee, and Chairman of the State Young Farmers Committee.

This is the second year in a row that an Alabama representative has finished in the top three in this contest.

Applicants for the Merit Award are between the ages of 18 and 35 and derive most of their income from agricultural production.

The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) is the nation's largest general agricultural organization representing farmers in all 50 states and Puerto Rico. The federation is a partner of AFBF and has 354,000 members in all 67 counties in Alabama.

Austin Shipley is a staff writer at Yellowhammer News.