James Van Der Hyde of Pittsylvania County is the winner of this year’s Virginia Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmers Outstanding Young Farm Employee Award.

He was honored July 28 at the VFBF Young Farmers Summer Expo in Lynchburg. The award was created to recognize successful young agriculturalists for their commitment to production agriculture through on-farm employment. The ideal candidate is an individual who works full time or part time on a farm, has no ownership interests in the operation and has an impact on the overall farm success on a daily basis.

Van Der Hyde works at a large dairy in Southside Virginia where he monitors herd health, responds with needed treatment and assists with maintenance and construction. He also handles all aspects of growing, harvesting and storing forages. He hopes to purchase and operate his own farm in the future.

Van Der Hyde will receive $500 and a commemorative plaque from First Bank AgCredit.

With more than 150,000 members in 88 county Farm Bureaus, VFBF is Virginia’s largest farmers’ advocacy group. Farm Bureau is a non-governmental, nonpartisan, voluntary organization committed to protecting Virginia’s farms and ensuring a safe, fresh and locally grown food supply.