By Patricia Villers, Register Staff
SHELTON — Resident Jamie Jones was recognized as one of the top young farmers by the American Farm Bureau Association at its recent conference in Seattle.
Jones, a sixth-generation farmer at Jones Family Farms, located on 400 acres in the White Hills section, earned runner-up status among nearly 50 of the nation’s most accomplished young farmers and ranchers.
There was a first-place winner and four runners-up for the association’s prestigious Agricultural Achievement Award.
“It was quite an amazing honor,” Jones said. He first won a state competition before advancing to represent Connecticut at the national level in Seattle. The contest was open to farmers under 35, he said.
“It was a neat opportunity to attend the meeting” and see the Seattle area, Jones said. “It also was a good chance to meet some of the other young farmers.”
Jones was among 10 finalists selected to be interviewed for 20 minutes, after which he was named a runner-up.
He won a Case IH tractor, which is to be delivered in the spring in time for planting season. The first-place winner received a Dodge pickup truck, Jones said.
“There’s nothing wrong with getting a new tractor,” he said. “It will be great to show the tractor to my sons. They are 5 and 2 years old, so they are going to think it’s pretty cool.”
Jones said the award not only recognizes the work being done on the farm but also “brings national attention to Connecticut’s agricultural accomplishments.”
In 1985, Keith Bishop of Bishop’s Orchards Farm Market & Winery in Guilford garnered first place in the competition, and won a tractor. Both men said, as far as they know, that was the last time a Connecticut farmer won a national award from the farm organization.
In November, Bishop and Jones faced off in a friendly Facebook fans competition. Jones’ farm defeated Bishop’s by gaining 4,687 new fans to Bishop’s 3,492 new fans. Facebook is a social networking Web site.
Both families said at the time that it was a friendly competition, and three local charities benefited from it.
As the loser, Bishop had to put in a day of work at Jones Family Farms.
Bishop said one of the items on his “to-do” list that day was to assist Jamie Jones with the contest paperwork.
“I imagine Jamie had to spend 50 to 60 hours on the application,” Bishop said. “The application is quite involved,” he said.
The American Farm Bureau Association, a 91-year-old organization, represents more than 6 million farming families.
Jones also was recognized for his leadership and community service. He serves as the first vice president of the Connecticut Farm Bureau, president of the Connecticut Vineyard and Winery Association, and is a member of the Shelton Zoning Board of Appeals.
“Going back to my great-grandparents, my family has a tradition of community service,” Jones said, “so it’s something I have always valued.”