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

Ideal candidate qualities

• Involvement in agriculture and participation in Farm Bureau programs at the local, state, and national levels is highly encouraged. 
• 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.  
• Ability to communicate agricultural journey through written and verbal platforms.

Eligibility

• An applicant can be either an individual, a married couple or a couple who has similar legal rights under the law applicable to Ohio. Applicant(s) may choose to apply individually or as a couple.
• Applicant(s) must not have derived a majority of 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 18-35 years of age prior to Jan. 31, 2024.
• 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

The award winner receives expense-paid trips to the 2023 Winter Leadership Experience and Ohio Farm Bureau Annual Meeting, a media package and a $3,000 prize of choice. Prizes are courtesy of Farm Credit Mid-America, Nationwide and Ohio Farm Bureau. The winner also represents Ohio at the American Farm Bureau Annual Convention in Salt Lake City, Utah in January 2024.

The top three finalists will receive an expense-paid trip to the 2023 Winter Leadership Experience and Ohio Farm Bureau soft shell jacket. Finalist prize packages are provided by Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association and Ohio Soybean Council.

Apply

Complete rules and eligibility requirements are listed in the application. Applications are due to Kelsey Turner, Ohio Farm Bureau leadership development program specialist, [email protected], no later than Dec. 30, 2022 at noon.

Online Extra

Meet 2022 Excellence in Agriculture winner Stacie Anderson from Wood County.