CROWLEY – Philip James Leonards of Roberts Cove has been chosen as the Junior Rice Farmer of the 2011 International Rice Festival slated for the weekend of October 20-22, 2011 as announced by J.C. Webb, festival president.

Leonards is a senior at Notre Dame High School and is the son of Jerry and Karen Leonards. He has one brother, John, who was the 2006 Junior Farmer of the Year and is presently a student of the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine.

Leonards is part of a fifth generation rice farming family. His grandparents are Shelton Pousson and the late Betty Pousson and Shirley Leonards and the late Gerald Leonards.

He is actively involved in his father’s 1,300 acre farm consisting of rice, soybeans and crawfish. He assists in many areas of day-to-day work, as well as learning about modern farming practices, computerized record keeping and reviewing updates for rice market strategies.

He is a member of the Notre Dame 4-H, FFA and Campus Ministry. In 4-H he has served in several officer positions in the past and is very active in livestock projects and judging contests. Philip raises breeding sheep and market lambs to exhibit and has competed and won awards on the parish, district and state level.

He is a member of St. Leo’s Catholic Church serving in his ninth year as an altar server and also serves at school masses. He is an active member of the Germanfest Association. Upon graduation Leonards plans to attend college and major in Agribusiness.