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The Outstanding Young Farmer award 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.

The ideal candidate(s) is an individual or couple ages 24-34 who are involved in production agriculture with a majority of his/her gross income subject to farm and/or ranch risks.

To participate in this award contest, Young Ag Professionals must complete an online application detailing their goals, leadership involvement, farm management strategy, and financial overview of their operation(s). Applications will be reviewed in early January and finalist interviews will take place in person Jan. 23 at the 2026 Young Ag Professionals Winter Leadership Experience 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 be actively engaged in farming and/or ranching, with the majority of his/her gross income coming from production agriculture. Applicant(s) must have at least three years of financial records showing that the majority of income came from production agriculture.
• 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 applyfor the award.
• Past and present members of the AFBF YF&R Committee may not apply.

Prizes

Thanks to the support of our 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 Annual Convention Jan. 8-12, 2027 in Charlotte.
• $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
• Embroidered Ohio Farm Bureau branded apparel
• $250 cash award

Deadline to apply: Dec. 1, 2025.

For questions about the contest, email [email protected]

Photo caption: 2025 Outstanding Young Farmer Will Minshall, Pickaway County