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Lincoln Deitrick of Muskingum County is the winner of Ohio Farm Bureau’s Young Agricultural Professionals 2026 Outstanding Young Farmer competition. The results were announced Jan. 24 during the YAP Winter Leadership Experience.
The Outstanding Young Farmer Award competition 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.
Deitrick operates a diversified farming business that includes row crops, a commercial cattle feedlot, seasonal hog finishing and a self-serve meat trailer that offers direct-to-consumer beef, pork and eggs. He also maintains a cow-calf Registered Angus herd in partnership with his family.
He grew up showing Registered Angus cattle at local and national shows and continues to be involved with Muskingum County Farm Bureau and working alongside his local soil & water office to help implement conservation and environmental stewardship practices throughout the county.
As the winner, he receives a $3,000 cash prize, an expense-paid trip to the 2026 Ohio Farm Bureau Annual Meeting and an expense-paid trip to 2027 American Farm Bureau Annual Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina, to represent Ohio in the national competition. His prize package is sponsored by Nationwide and Farm Credit Mid-America.
The Ohio Farm Bureau Young Agricultural Professionals program provides leadership development and professional growth opportunities for Farm Bureau members ages 18-35. The program hosts the Winter Leadership Experience, a Washington, D.C., Leadership Experience and conducts the Outstanding Young Farmer, Excellence in Agriculture and Discussion Meet contests. Learn more about the program at experienceyap.com.
Ohio Farm Bureau’s mission is working together for Ohio farmers to advance agriculture and strengthen our communities. Learn more at ohiofarmbureau.org.
This is a news release for use by journalists. Questions should be directed to Ryan Matthews, 614-246-8210 or [email protected].
Editors: A high-resolution photo of Mr. Deitrick is available for download.
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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