Kyle Stockton farm

The Outstanding Young Farmer Contest is designed to help young farmers strengthen their business skills, develop marketing opportunities and receive recognition for their accomplishments. Contestants are judged on the growth of their farm businesses and involvement in Farm Bureau and their community.

Representing the best of Ohio young farmers

The ideal candidate for this award is an individual or couple involved in production agriculture with a majority of his/her net income subject to normal production risks.

Eligibility

  • An applicant can be either an individual, a married couple or couple who has similar legal rights under the law applicable to Ohio. Applicant may choose to apply individually, rather than as a couple.
  • Applicant must be actively engaged in farming, with the majority of his/her net income coming from production agriculture. Applicant must have at least three years of financial records showing the majority of income came from production agriculture. 
  • Must be an active/voting member of a county Farm Bureau.
  • Must be 18-35 years of age prior to Jan. 31, 2023.
  • Previous state winners and current Young Agricultural Professionals State Committee members are ineligible.
  • Past and present members of the American Farm Bureau YF&R Committee may not apply.

Prizes

The award winner receives expense-paid trips to the Winter Leadership Experience and Ohio Farm Bureau Annual Meeting, a media package and a $3,000 prize of choice. Prizes are courtesy of Farm Credit Mid-America, Nationwide and Ohio Farm Bureau. The winner also represents Ohio at the American Farm Bureau Annual Convention in Puerto Rico next January.

The top three finalists will receive an expense-paid trip to the Winter Leadership Experience and Ohio Farm Bureau soft shell jacket. Finalist prize packages are provided by Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association and Ohio Soybean Council.

Learning Sessions

This year, Ohio Farm Bureau will host several learning sessions where applicants can learn more about the application requirements, walk through challenging portions of the application, and review advice from former award winners. The virtual learning sessions begin at 7 p.m.:

Contest overview: March 29

Crafting your application: April 12

Financial success: April 26

Interview workshop: May 9

Use this link to register for each session.

Apply

Applications are due to Kelsey Turner, Ohio Farm Bureau leadership development program specialist, [email protected], no later than May 13, 2022 at noon.

 

Online Extra

Meet Kyle Stockton, the 2021 Outstanding Young Farmer.

Labor has always been an issue, mainly because we are a seasonal operation. So that's a challenge finding somebody who only wants to work three months out of a year, sometimes up to six months.
Mandy Way's avatar
Mandy Way

Way Farms

Farm Labor Resources
I appreciate the benefit of having a strong voice in my corner. The extras that are included in membership are wonderful, but I'm a member because of the positive impact to my local and state agricultural communities.
Ernie Welch's avatar
Ernie Welch

Van Wert County Farm Bureau

Strong communities
I see the value and need to be engaged in the community I live in, to be a part of the decision-making process and to volunteer with organizations that help make our community better.
Matt Aultman's avatar
Matt Aultman

Darke County Farm Bureau

Leadership development
Farm Bureau involvement has taught me how to grow my professional and leadership experience outside of the workforce and how to do that in a community-centric way.
Jaclyn De Candio's avatar
Jaclyn De Candio

Clark County Farm Bureau

Young Ag Professionals program
With not growing up on a farm, I’d say I was a late bloomer to agriculture. I feel so fortunate that I found the agriculture industry. There are so many opportunities for growth.
Jenna Gregorich's avatar
Jenna Gregorich

Coshocton County Farm Bureau

Growing our Generation
Knowing that horticulture is under the agriculture umbrella and having Farm Bureau supporting horticulture like it does the rest of ag is very important.
Jared Hughes's avatar
Jared Hughes

Groovy Plants Ranch

Groovy Plants Ranch
If it wasn't for Farm Bureau, I personally, along with many others, would not have had the opportunity to meet with our representatives face to face in Washington.
Austin Heil's avatar
Austin Heil

Hardin County Farm Bureau

Washington, D.C. Leadership Experience
So many of the issues that OFBF and its members are advocating for are important to all Ohioans. I look at OFBF as an agricultural watchdog advocating for farmers and rural communities across Ohio.
Mary Smallsreed's avatar
Mary Smallsreed

Trumbull County Farm Bureau

Advocacy
Suggested Tags: