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The Young Ag Professionals Excellence in Agriculture Award competition gives young agricultural professionals who do not derive the majority of their income from farm production an opportunity to earn recognition for their contributions to the agriculture industry, while actively contributing and growing through their involvement in Farm Bureau and agriculture.

The ideal candidate for the award:

• Is involved in agriculture and participates in Farm Bureau programs at the local, state and national levels.
• Demonstrates strong leadership ability in Farm Bureau and in other organizations.
• Contributes civic involvement in the community.
• Possesses passion for resolving issues in agriculture today and the ability to propose an action plan for these challenges.
• Has the ability to communicate agricultural journey through written
  and verbal platforms.

Competitors must complete the online application, and after the judges’ evaluation in early January, the top three finalists will be invited to participate in a 25-minute presentation on-site at the Young Ag Professionals Winter Leadership Experience, Jan. 23, 2026 in Newark.

Deadline to apply: Dec. 1, 2025.

Eligibility

• An applicant can be either an individual or a married couple or couple who has similar legal rights under the law applicable to Ohio. Applicant may choose to apply individually or as a couple.
• Applicant(s) must not have derived a majority of his/her net income from an owned production agriculture enterprise in any of the past three years.
• Must be an active/voting member of a county Farm Bureau.
• Must be at least 18 years of age upon applying and shall not have reached 36th birthday by Jan. 11, 2027.
• Previous State Winners cannot apply.
• YAP State Committee members may not apply until the year in which they retire from the committee. The YAP State Committee Class of 2026 is eligible to apply for the 2026 award.
• Trustees serving the Ohio Farm Bureau Board are eligible to apply for the award.
• Past and present members of the AFBF YF&R Committee may not apply.

Prizes

Thanks to the support of Ohio Farm Bureau Heritage Partner Nationwide and support from Farm Credit Mid-America, the award winner receives:

• Expense-paid trip to represent Ohio at the American Farm Bureau Convention in Charlotte Jan. 8-12, 2027.
• $3,000 cash award
• Media package
• Complimentary trip to the 2026 Ohio Farm Bureau Annual Meeting in Columbus.

Thanks to the generosity of Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association and Ohio Soybean Council, finalists for the award receive

• Expense-paid trip to the 2026 Winter Leadership Experience Jan. 23-24, 2026 in Newark
• Embroidered Ohio Farm Bureau branded apparel
• $250 cash award

Deadline to apply: Dec. 1, 2025.

Questions about the contest may be sent to [email protected]

Photo caption: 2025 Excellence in Agriculture winner Derek Snider from Hardin County.