SEATTLE—Scott and Mendy Sink of Blacksburg were named winners of this year’s American Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmer & Rancher Excellence in Agriculture Award.

The Sinks were recognized Jan. 11 during the 91st AFBF Annual Convention.
The Excellence in Agriculture award recognizes young Farm Bureau members who contribute to and grow through their involvement in agriculture, leadership roles and Farm Bureau.

The Sinks operate SES Agricultural Enterprises, which focuses on beef cattle, hay, agritourism and agricultural services. They also operate The Snow Barn, a concession service benefiting Virginia Tech, Radford University and the surrounding communities, and operate Hethwood Market, which sells fresh produce and other Virginia products.
The Sinks also are partners in Little River Produce, which raises sweet corn, pumpkins and other seasonal items.

Mendy Sink is a property manager and marketing director for an apartment community. Scott Sink is an instructor in Virginia Tech’s Agriculture and Applied Economics Department.

Scott Sink also is president of the Franklin County Farm Bureau and immediate past chairman of the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmers Committee. The Sinks recently were appointed to the AFBF YF&R Committee.

As Excellence in Agriculture Award winners, they were given the keys to a 2010 Dodge Ram 1500 truck. They also will receive a paid registration to the 2010 AFBF YF&R Leadership Conference in February.

“We are definitely in shock right now,” Scott Sink said after winning the award. “To me, this award recognizes Virginia Farm Bureau’s Young Farmers Committee and all the young farmers in Virginia and their commitment to growing the program.”

Mendy Sink added, “We couldn’t have done it without all the people who have supported us.”

VFBF President Wayne F. Pryor said he and other Virginia Farm Bureau members attending the AFBF convention “could not be prouder of Scott and Mendy for their accomplishments. We’re grateful to them as well. Virginia Farm Bureau is a stronger organization for the work they have done to build a network of young farmers across the commonwealth.”

Contact Scott Sink at 540-493-5531.