Several awards were presented Thursday at the Effingham County Young Farmers’ Christmas awards banquet.

Alan Mock received the Young Farmer of the Year award and Joe Studier was honored as the Agribusinessman of the Year.

Also honored were the county’s top producers of corn (Glenn Zittrouer), peanuts (Ryal Morgan) and soybeans (Bart Waller).

Several Effingham farmers were recognized for participating in 30, 60, 90 and 120 hours of Young Farmers classes and activities. Singer Jil Trower provided the evening’s entertainment, performing several Christmas songs.

The program concluded with recognition of Young Farmers advisor Freddie Waltz, who will retire from the Effingham County School System in June. Waltz has been a teacher for more than 40 years, and has been involved in the Effingham County Young Farmers program since 1997.

Effingham County Young Farmers 2013 award winners

Young Farmer of the Year – Alan Mock
Agribusinessman of the Year – Joe Studier

Top Producers
Corn: first – Glenn Zittrouer; second – Carroll Zittrouer; third – Ryal Morgan; fourth – Andrew Kessler
Peanuts: first – Ryal Morgan; second – Glenn Zittrouer; third – Shiloh Farms, Larry Redmond; fourth – Brucewood Farms, Bruce Redmond; fifth – Brad Rahn
Soybeans: first – Bart Waller; second – Andrew Kessler; third – Double A Farms, Lamar and Tommy Allen

Attendance and Participation
30 hours – Lamar Allen, John Conner, Stuart Exley, George Helmey, L.R. Hinely, Hank Morris, Buddy Kennedy
60 hours – Billy Cannon, Thomas Rahn
90 hours – Gene Hart, Tony Morgan
120 hours – Ryal Morgan, Bruce Peth, Pete Smith