For the first time in years, Decatur County was represented in Georgia Agriculture Education’s Young Farmers program. This year’s winner was Kevin and Amanda Rentz, and their daughter Calhie Jane.

The Rentz family was one of four finalist families. They were selected by a panel of judges this past weekend.

“We’re honored to be chosen out of the whole state,” Kevin Rentz said. “We were kind of surprised when they announced it. There are a lot of deserving families.”

The Georgia Young Farmers award is given each year to a family that continues to help the state and agriculture industry reach its full potential.

The Rentz family works hard to promote agriculture around Decatur County, from inside the school system all the way to the Bainbridge Farmers’ Market. They are constantly looking toward the future with how to improve the state of agriculture.

“It showcases what we do here in the county as far as agriculture,” Kevin said about his family winning the award. “Statewide, people can see how we’re progressing and different crops were trying.

Kevin said he has been growing new fruits and vegetables in the region, including watermelons, and has plans to grow strawberries for families to come and pick this spring.

“It’s something the community can enjoy as a family,” Kevin said.

Ideas like that reinforce why the Rentz family won the Georgia Young Farmers award. They have been invited to theFuture Farmers of America gala in Atlanta this March to participate and speak with other young farmers from around Georgia.

An outstanding family is selected from each of the three regions based on their level of success in meeting the program’s goals:
•    To promote efficient management of land, labor, and capital in farming.
•    To develop leadership necessary to propel the agriculture industry forward.
•    To advance the philosophy of community service.
•    To ensure the applications of sound environmental practices.

To be eligible to enter the program, participants must be a member of a chartered Georgia Young Farmer Chapter for the last three years, be between the ages of 21 and 45, and be an actual farm operator, earning at least two-thirds of their income from their farm.