CHICAGO (DTN) -- DTN/The Progressive Farmer announced Thursday morning its 2012 honorees in the America's Best Young Farmers and Ranchers program.

In its second year, America's Best Young Farmers and Ranchers recognizes young farmers and ranchers who have a proven record of excellence in their profession and of service in their communities. Farmers and ranchers eligible for this award are 40 years old and younger.

The 2012 honorees are from four Midwestern and one Southern state. They are:

-- Ryan Bivens, Hodgenville, Ky. Ryan, 32, and Misty Bivens, 33, operate a first-generation farm. The couple moved into their community 10 years ago with no farm ground. Today, they manage 5,400 acres of corn, soybeans and wheat. Most of that ground is rented -- they work with 68 landlords. The two plan to grow their operation to 9,000 acres within three years. They currently hold permits to build a 4,000-cow milking facility that would employ 50 people and would be the largest dairy in Kentucky. They expect to begin that project within the next two years. Misty is an agriculture teacher at LaRue County High School. She and Ryan are raising two children.

-- Chad Goldman, Grandview, Ind. Chad, 36, and Summer Goldman, 33, work 750 acres of corn and soybeans, while helping Chad's father farm another 800 acres. Chad and Summer are growing their operation following three principles: reinvest farm income in the operation, grow slowly, and take advantage of unique opportunities. The Goldmans plan for a net worth of $1 million by 40 years of age. They want to farm 2,000 acres by age 50. Toward that end, they are investing off-farm income into a mutual fund, earmarked specifically for land purchases. Chad and Summer have two children.

-- Scott Rasa, Higginsville, Mo. Scott, 39, owns 547 acres; half interest in 1,783 acres and custom farms another 1,120 acres. On that ground he produces corn, soybeans, wheat and tends 300 acres of pasture. Scott has a financial interest in 150 cows and 130 calves. He owns Earthworks Excavation, which, among other work, contracts for conservation projects. Seeing a need for better emergency medical service in his community, Scott donated land for the construction of a new Life Flight Eagle facility. The project brings air ambulance service to a large area of western Missouri. Scott has two children.

-- Evan M. Uthof, Jackson, Neb. Evan, 29, and Ashley Uthof, 29, farm 8,250 irrigated and dryland acres of row crops (corn, soybeans, corn ethanol hybrids). He has a custom farming operation that adds 2,000 acres of work to his operation. He is adding 600,000 bushels of grain storage to the farm to have better access to an ethanol facility. He plans to farm 10,000 acres. At home, Evan completed a $130,000 fundraising campaign for the Ponca Public Schools Fine Arts project and is working to raise $1.2 million for a track and field facility at that school. He has been recognized as Syngenta's Seedsman of the Year. Evan and Ashley are raising three children.

-- Jeff Wuebker, Versailles, Ohio. Jeff, 40, and Dena Wuebker, 39, farm 1,200 acres outside of Versailles with Jeff's brother, Alan. The operation includes a 1,800 sow, farrow-to-wean operation that produces 43,000 head annually. They're working to expand the operation to 3,600 sows. They also grow corn, soybeans, wheat and alfalfa. Jeff is president of the Ohio Soybean Association. He was involved in developing the Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board and now serves on that important board. Jeff and Dena are the parents of two children.

The Progressive Farmer magazine will feature each honoree in the 2012 America's Best Young Farmers and Ranchers program in a special section of its February 2012 magazine.

The honorees were recognized Thursday at DTN/The Progressive Farmer's Ag Summit in Chicago. The annual gathering of the agriculture's top producers and industry executives is attended this year by 650 people. The Ag Summit runs through Friday.

Dan Miller can be reached at dan.miller@telventdtn.com

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Editor's note: to see interviews DTN has done with some of the speakers at this year's Ag Summit, check out the Ag Summit Special Report videos at www.dtnag.com

(ES/CZ/SK)

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