Matt Vodraska

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, 2021.
  • 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

Top three runners-up receive:

  • 250 hours use of an M-Series Kubota tractor, courtesy of Kubota 

  • $1,000 Grainger Gift Certificate, courtesy of Farm Credit Mid-America

  • $1,000 Cash Prize, courtesy of Ohio Farm Bureau

  • A Young Ag Professionals ¼ zip pullover.

State winner will be recognized at the 2020 OFBF Annual Meeting Dec. 10 and will compete at the AFBF Annual Convention January 2021.  

Apply

Applications are due to Kelsey Turner, Ohio Farm Bureau leadership development program specialist, [email protected], no later than July 10, 2020 at noon.

Applicant Interest Call

Are you interested in applying for the 2020 contest, but aren’t sure exactly what the contest entails? Join Farm Bureau for a one-hour Zoom call with previous year winners and get all your questions answered.

June 23
7 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Email Kelsey Turner at [email protected] for the Zoom log-in information.

Online Extra

Meet Matt Vodraska, the 2019 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
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