Freddie Waltz was named the farmer of the year, and Steve Smith was named agribusinessman of the year at the annual Effingham County Young Farmers awards banquet. The event was held Dec. 7 at the New Ebenezer Retreat Center.

Winners in the corn production contest were: first place, Bert Waller; second place, Glenn Zitterour. Winners in the soybean production contest were: first place, Bert Waller; second place, Ryal Morgan; third place, Lamar Allen. Winners in the peanuts production contest were: first place, Glenn Zitterour; second place, Larry Redmond.

The Young Farmers also recognized the nine recipients of the scholarships funded through the annual Lloyd Arnsdorff Scholarship Auction. Each student received $1,500. Students who received the scholarships, and their current schools are: Evan Ambrose, Savannah Technical College; Joey Funderburk, East Georgia College; Bayley Morgan, Georgia Southern University; Annah Shearouse, University of Georgia; Sophie Usher, University of Georgia; Brittany Brookshire, Savannah Technical College; Chelsea Carter, Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College; Morgan Rushing, University of Georgia; and Joshua Warren, Savannah Technical College.

The 2016 auction will be held March 7.