Growing our Generation: A life of service
Meet Joe Everett, a Shelby County Farm Bureau Young Ag Professional who has dedicated his life to service, both in uniform and within his local community.
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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
My first recommendation in your journey is to start out with a local farming friend or mentor along with joining an organization like Ohio Farm Bureau.
We’re just so thankful for the Farm Bureau and the foundation for helping put this together. And of course, the Boyert family for the vision they had with this grant. It’s jumping us forward 10 years. It’s unbelievable.
I could not have done it without the resources I have found through Farm Bureau.
It wasn’t until I joined the Wilmington College Collegiate Farm Bureau that I truly saw how my passion could translate into leadership, advocacy and a career.
The issue of property taxation remains as one of the biggest challenges our members face today. Ensuring agricultural property is valued for its agricultural potential and not development is critical to the continued success of Ohio agriculture.
Through the Select Partner program, we became educated in farm insurance and weren't just selling policies. It became more and more clear why farmers need an advocate like Ohio Farm Bureau.
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.
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