Young Ag Professionals

Excellence in Ag

If you work primarily off the farm and are a leader in Farm Bureau and the community, then this contest is for you. This award is designed to recognize successful young agricultural professionals (singles or couples) who are actively contributing and growing through their involvement with Farm Bureau and agriculture, but do not have the majority of income subject to normal production risk. Each year, the top three applicants will have a 25-minute presentation before a panel of judges.

Applications are due Dec. 20.

Prizes

Thanks to the support of Nationwide and Farm Credit Mid-America, the award winner receives a complimentary trip to the American Farm Bureau Convention to compete at the national level, an all inclusive trip to the YAP Winter Leadership Experience and a $3,000 Invest in YOU prize.

Thanks to the generosity of Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association, finalists for the award receive an Ohio Farm Bureau jacket and complimentary registration to the YAP Winter Leadership Experience.

Sara Tallmadge of Ashland County, pictured below, is the winner of the 2024 Excellence in Agriculture Award.

Outstanding Young Farmer

The Outstanding Young Farmer contest is designed to recognize successful young farmers, age 35 or younger, for achievements in the business of farming and leadership in the agricultural community. Applicants should have a majority of their income subject to normal production risks as well as ownership (or part ownership) of the operation/business.

Applications are due Dec 20.

Prizes

Thanks to the support of Nationwide and Farm Credit Mid-America, the award winner receives a complimentary trip to the American Farm Bureau Convention to compete at the national level, an all inclusive trip to the YAP Winter Leadership Experience and a $3,000 Invest in YOU prize.

Thanks to the generosity of Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association, finalists for the award receive an Ohio Farm Bureau jacket and complimentary registration to the YAP Winter Leadership Experience.

Pictured below is Catherine Wolcott of Geauga County, the winner of the 2024 Outstanding Young Farmer Award.

Discussion Meet

If you are a good conversationalist, then this contest is for you. The Discussion Meet is a competitive event designed to simulate a committee meeting where discussion and active participation are expected from each participant. This competition is evaluated on an exchange of ideas and information on a pre-determined topic. Participants build basic discussion skills, develop a keen understanding of important agricultural issues and explore how groups can pool knowledge to reach consensus and solve problems.

Prizes

Thanks to the support of Nationwide and Farm Credit Mid-America, the contest winner receives a complimentary trip to the American Farm Bureau Convention to compete at the national level, an all inclusive trip to the YAP Winter Leadership Experience and a $3,000 Invest in YOU prize.

Thanks to the generosity of Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association, finalists receive an Ohio Farm Bureau jacket and complimentary registration to the YAP Winter Leadership Experience.

Applications are closed for this year.

Abigale Campbell of Washington County, pictured below, is the 2024 Discussion Meet winner.

National Awards

The American Farm Bureau YF&R program helps young Farm Bureau members shape their future and American agriculture through leadership development and personal growth opportunities. Three competitions enable members to showcase their leadership experience, communication skills and successful business plans as they compete against the best of the best from each state Farm Bureau.

As part of the YF&R competitions, the top four competitors in the Achievement Award, Discussion Meet and Excellence in Ag areas will receive:

Winner (1st Place): $35,000 credit toward a new Ford vehicle (sponsored by Ford) and paid registration to the AFBF FUSION Conference March 7-10, 2025 in Denver, Colorado.

Runner-up (Second Place) receives: $25,000 credit toward a new Case IH piece of equipment, courtesy of Case IH.

Third Place receives: A $2,500 Investing in Your Future cash prize, courtesy of AmericanAg, $2,500 worth of Stanley Black & Decker merchandise (PROTO, DeWalt, Stanley, Lenox & Irwin), courtesy of Stanley Black & Decker, plus a Case IH branded safe, courtesy of Case IH.

Fourth Place receives: A Case IH branded Solo Stove, courtesy of Case IH.