Local rancher is semi-finalist at national competition

Jan. 18, 2013

Gainesville – Kelvin Moreno of Miami-Dade County was a semi-finalist in the national Young Farmers & Ranchers Discussion Meet competition at the American Farm Bureau’s Annual Meeting in Nashville.

Moreno was among the top “Sweet-Sixteen” finalists in the highly competitive event. Moreno advanced to the national competition after winning the Florida Farm Bureau’s Young Farmers & Ranchers Discussion Meet competition in October of 2012.

“I am extremely proud of Kelvin’s achievements,” said Florida Farm Bureau President John Hoblick. “Kelvin is already an accomplished leader. Being a semi-finalist for the national Young Farmers & Ranchers Discussion Meet is an honor for our organization and our state.”

The national Discussion Meet competition represented Young Farmers & Ranchers Discussion Meet state winners from across the country. The competition is designed to simulate a committee meeting where discussion and active participation are expected from each participant. This competition is evaluated on an exchange of ideas and information on a pre-determined topic. The judges look for contestants that offers constructive criticism, cooperation and communication while analyzing agricultural problems and developing solutions.

Moreno is past-president of Florida Farm Bureau’s Young Farmers & Ranchers Group. He operates his family business, Moreno Ranches, which runs registered seedstock Limousin and Brahman cattle in both Miami-Dade and Highlands counties. Moreno is also operations manager for Moreno Firms, which specializes in cattle brokerage and consulting services.