Laney Pease of Fleming County and Aiden Manley of Menifee County were named winners of the Kentucky Farm Bureau (KFB) 2024 Outstanding Farm Bureau Youth contest at the organization’s 105th Annual Meeting. They were each awarded a $3,500 college scholarship, a piece of luggage and a wristwatch as contest prizes.

Pease and Manley were selected from 22 district finalists out of approximately 350 youth who competed in county and district contests over the past several months. At each level, the competition consists of two portions: a personal interview and a two-minute prepared speech related to agriculture or KFB. Contestants are evaluated by three judges with backgrounds in youth work and/or agriculture.

Judges heard speeches and spoke with finalists for personal interviews, awarding points for each contestant’s leadership record, conversational ability and scholastic achievement. 

Runners-up in the contest were Daniel Laurent of Caldwell County and Addison Thompson of Montgomery County. They each received a $300 cash award and a leather portfolio. 

The other district finalists were: Laykin Gatton, Boyle County; Benjamin Bratcher, Butler County; Avery Drane, Breckinridge County; Jacee McKeel and Cooper Housden, Calloway County; Mollie Goode, Christian County; Kaley Roberts, Clay County; Lucas Campbell, Fleming County;  Austin Van, Laurel County; Toby Sallee, Lincoln County; Arabella Robertson, Logan County; Clara Beth Bishop and Micah Whitson, Nelson County; Madison Wright and Jeremiah Jury, Owen County; Colson Pierce, Pulaski County; Alyssa Benningfield, Taylor County; and Carver Woosley, Warren County.

All finalists received luggage pieces and $100 for winning their district competitions.