Will Minshall Pickaway County

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.

Apply

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

Apply

Deadline to apply: Dec. 1, 2025.

For questions about the contest, email [email protected]

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

Farm Bureau connections
To grow a network and gain perspective and knowledge in the industry through personal and professional development has been invaluable. Every day I learn and grow.
Ryanna Tietje's avatar
Ryanna Tietje

Henry County Farm Bureau

Farm Bureau connections
Giving farmers a voice
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.
Matt Aultman's avatar
Matt Aultman

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Giving farmers a voice
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Farm Bureau is what really got the word out. It’s been one of their goals to get this done.
Bill and Charlotte Wachtman's avatar
Bill and Charlotte Wachtman

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I could not have done it without the resources I have found through Farm Bureau.
Gretchan Francis's avatar
Gretchan Francis

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Because we are younger farmers just starting out, Farm Bureau has a lot of good opportunities and resources to help us grow in the future.
Hannah Kiser's avatar
Hannah Kiser

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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.
Chad Ruhl's avatar
Chad Ruhl

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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.
Mary Smallsreed's avatar
Mary Smallsreed

Trumbull County Farm Bureau

Advocacy
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