Growing our Generation: Celebrating June Dairy Month
Allowing people a sneak-peek into our farm is a way to break negative stigmas. ~ Mackenzie Deetz
Read MoreAt the state and national levels, Farm Bureau offers members ages 18-35 opportunities to be recognized for their achievements. The Excellence in Agriculture contest is designed for an individual or couple who does not have the majority of his/her gross income subject to normal production risk.
The Young Ag Professionals and Young Farmers and Ranchers Excellence in Agriculture Award competition is designed as an opportunity for young farmers and ranchers to earn recognition, while actively contributing and growing through their involvement in Farm Bureau and agriculture. Participants will be judged on their involvement in agriculture, leadership ability, and participation/involvement in Farm Bureau and other organizations (i.e., civic, service and community).
Competitors must complete the online application form. After the judge’s evaluation, the top three competitors will be invited to participate in a 25-minute presentation to determine the winner.
The contest is open to Farm Bureau member(s) between the ages of 18 and 35 in good standing with his/her county Farm Bureau. The individual or spouse/spousal-equivalent shall have reached his/her 18th birthday at the time he/she qualifies for the national competition and shall not have reached his/her 36th birthday by the completion of the competition. Competitors qualify at the time the national application is submitted and the completion of the competition is the day awards are given out (Monday, Jan. 27, 2025).
Applicant(s) must be in attendance on-site in Columbus at the Ohio Farm Bureau YAP Winter Leadership Experience, Jan. 26-27, 2024 to compete.
Applicant(s) must not have derived a majority of his/her gross income from an owned production agriculture enterprise in any of the past three years.
Applicant(s) may only compete in one state YAP competition per year.
Past and present members of the AFBF Young Farmers & Ranchers Committee and/or their spouses are not eligible to compete.
Retiring members of the Ohio Young Agricultural Professionals State Committee are eligible to apply in the year in which they are retiring.
Members of the Ohio Farm Bureau Board of Trustees are eligible to apply for this award.
Past Ohio YAP Outstanding Young Farmer Award winners and/or previous AFBF Achievement Award competitors are not eligible to compete.
Previous AFBF Excellence in Agriculture Award competitors are not eligible to compete.
Current employees or agents of county, state, and/or the American Farm Bureau organizations and their affiliates are not eligible to compete. An affiliate is defined as an entity owned or controlled in whole or in part by another entity through, for example, ownership (including partial ownership) or positions on the board of directors. Past employees and interns who were responsible for implementing any of the YF&R Competitive Events since Jan. 1, 2018, at the state or national level are ineligible.
Award Winner
Award Finalists
Deadline to apply: Dec. 22, 2023, at 5 p.m.
Meet Nick and Bailey Elchinger, the 2023 Excellence in Ag winners
Meet national Excellence in Ag winner Stacie Anderson
Allowing people a sneak-peek into our farm is a way to break negative stigmas. ~ Mackenzie Deetz
Read MoreEach session will feature new and innovative solutions, research, and information on the latest technology and strategies to protect farms and rural communities.
Read MoreLearn more about how Jakob Wilson, a fourth-generation farmer, embraces the importance of generational differences in their farming operation while implementing new technologies to increase efficiency.
Read MoreEight local Young Agricultural Professionals groups have been awarded $500 grants for educational programming or events they are planning or that have taken place already in 2024.
Read MoreCrawford, Marion, Morrow and Richland County Farm Bureau summer intern for 2024 is Sarah Hoak.
Read MoreThe program is the brainchild of Mike and Patti Boyert, who are ready to help the next generation of young people get started in agriculture.
Read MoreOhio Farm Bureau provides opportunities, platforms and resources to help you develop your voice in the industry and give farmers a seat at the table with leaders and legislators.
Read MoreThe free Entrepreneurship Bootcamp would benefit newer farmers and be helpful to anyone who caters to end consumers and has been in business for five years or less. Sessions start June 8.
Read MoreMary Klopfenstein of Delphos has been named Young Ag Professional and Ag Literacy Program Specialist for Ohio Farm Bureau.
Read MoreIf you are age 18 to 24 and a farmer, a student or your job is directly impacted by the health of Ohio agriculture, we invite you to become a young member.
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