Amanda Cook of Chisago County won the Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation (MFBF) Young Farmers & Ranchers Excellence in Agriculture competition, held during the MFBF Annual Meeting Nov. 16-18 in Bloomington. 

Cook serves as the Chisago County Farm Bureau Vice President, as well as many other leadership roles in her county. She also serves on the state Promotion & Education Committee, including being named chair in 2022. Cook is a high school agriculture teacher, and is currently working on chartering an FFA chapter at her school. On the farm, she and her family raise a flock of sheep.

The Excellence in Agriculture Award is designed as an opportunity for young farmers and ranchers to earn recognition while actively contributing and growing through their involvement in Farm Bureau and agriculture off the farm. Participants are judged on their involvement in agriculture, leadership ability, and involvement/participation in Farm Bureau and other organizations.

Cook advances to represent Minnesota at the national Young Farmers & Ranchers Excellence in Agriculture competition, held during the American Farm Bureau Federation Annual Convention Jan. 19-24 in Salt Lake City, Utah. She also receives a $500 cash award, an opportunity to participate in a MFBF Farmers to D.C. trip, and registration and lodging for the 2024 MFBF LEAP Conference.

Finishing as runner-up was Katie Saterbak of Swift County.