DAYTONA BEACH — A St. Lucie County attorney will represent Florida in a national competition after taking first place in the Florida Farm Bureau’s Young Farmers & Ranchers Discussion Meet.
Lainey Francisco received the statewide award Oct. 28 during the Florida Farm Bureau’s 85th State Annual Meeting in Daytona Beach.
The competition challenges participants to exchange ideas and develop solutions to issues facing agriculture. Finalists discuss predetermined questions and are judged on their ability to engage in a constructive exchange of ideas and information.
Other finalists were Carly Barnes of Jackson County, Kyle Mendes of Alachua County and Wesley Thomas of Union County.
Francisco is an attorney with Jones Foster, where her practice focuses on land use, local government, real estate and business litigation. She represents ranchers, growers and agricultural landowners in matters involving property rights, contracts, land leases and zoning.
A lifelong St. Lucie County resident, Francisco is a graduate of the University of Florida Levin College of Law. She and her husband, Evan, are members of Florida Farm Bureau Federation’s Young Farmers & Ranchers Leadership Class 11, representing District 7.
“I’m thankful for this opportunity and proud to represent Florida’s Young Farmers and Ranchers,” Francisco said.
She cited rural energy and farmland protection, veterinary care, local meat processing, youth engagement in agriculture and agricultural science as issues affecting farmers and ranchers statewide.
“I learned a great deal from my fellow competitors, and I’m grateful to Florida Farm Bureau for giving young people a place to work on these issues together,” she said.
Francisco received a utility vehicle provided by Southern Farm Bureau Casualty Insurance Company, $500 and an expense-paid trip to the American Farm Bureau Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina, in January 2027.
She will represent Florida in the national Young Farmers & Ranchers Discussion Meet.
Florida Farm Bureau, the state’s largest general agricultural organization, represents more than 125,000 member families. Its mission is to strengthen farm enterprises and improve rural communities.