Home Background Testimonials Student Programs Adult Programs Video Clips Recent Clients In The News On The Farm Contact Information	Virginia Couple Wins American Farm Bureau Award TAMPA, Fla.—Matthew and Andrea Lohr of Broadway, Virginia are the recipients of the first-ever American Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmer and Rancher Excellence in Agriculture Award. The couple was honored Jan. 20 at the AFBF's 84th annual convention. Their prize was a 2003 Dodge Ram Quad Cab 4X4 pickup truck. The Farm Bureau Excellence in Agriculture award is designed to recognize young producers who do not derive the majority of their income from an agricultural operation they own, but who actively contribute and grow through their involvement in Farm Bureau and agriculture. Participants were judged on their involvement in agriculture, their leadership ability, and participation in Farm Bureau and other organizations. Lohr, 31, and Mrs. Lohr, 28, hold bachelor's degrees in agriculture education. Both are former FFA members and past state FFA presidents, and both worked for several years as agricultural education instructors and FFA advisers. In 1996, they founded a motivational speaking company, New Directions Communications. Since then, they have spoken to audiences in eight countries and all 50 states, specializing in agricultural groups. In 1997, the couple purchased Lohr's grandparents' farm, which borders that of his parents, and they operate it in conjunction with the Lohr family farm business. They produce broiler chickens and beef cattle and raise wheat, corn and alfalfa. The Lohrs won the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation Excellence in Agriculture Award in December 2002, having prepared an extensive profile of their speaking and farming operations and their other activities in their community. “We just started dreaming about how wonderful it would be to have a chance at this,” Lohr said. As finalists in the Excellence in Agriculture program, the couple made a 15-minute presentation to a panel of judges. “It just feels good to get to this point,” Mrs. Lohr said happily. The Lohrs noted in their presentation that their speaking venture was not an immediate success and that they saw some lean years as they built their skills and contacts. Their persistence paid off and their business slowly began to grow. Last year they spent over 150 days traveling and speaking. “Matt and Andrea are among the brightest and best of Virginia's young farmers, and we are extremely proud of them,” said VFBF President Bruce L. Hiatt. “We're also grateful to them for all the time they have dedicated to encouraging youth, particularly those in farming communities. Lohr is president of the Rockingham County Farm Bureau. He was elected to the Rockingham County School Board in 2001 and is a past member and chairman of the Rockingham County Planning Commission. Mrs. Lohr has written and developed leadership training materials for the National FFA Organization and is pursuing a master's degree in counseling from James Madison University. The Lohrs have a 23-month-old daughter, Caroline Belle.