Young Ag Professionals
Competitive Events
Farm Bureau’s strength depends on its members’ abilities to analyze agricultural and community issues and decide on solutions that best meet their needs. Competitive events for young agricultural professionals provide an opportunity to recognize outstanding members for their achievements in business and in the community.
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 for 2023 are closed.
The winner receives expense-paid trips to the 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 January.
The top three finalists will receive an expense-paid trip to the 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.
Nick and Bailey Elchinger of Henry County, pictured center, are the winners of the 2023 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 for 2023 are closed.
The winner receives an expense-paid trips to the 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 January.
The top three finalists will receive an expense-paid trip to the 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.
Brad Weaver of Wyandot County is the winner of the 2023 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.
The winner receives a $1,000 cash award from Nationwide, an expense-paid trip to the Ohio Farm Bureau Annual Meeting in December and an expense-paid trip to represent Ohio at the national competition during the American Farm Bureau Annual Convention in January.
The application period for the contest is closed.
Mike Hannewald of Waterville is the winner of the 2022 Discussion Meet competition. Hannewald also is the winner of the national Discussion Meet competition, which took place at the American Farm Bureau Annual Convention in Puerto Rico.
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 and paid registration to the AFBF FUSION Conference in Jacksonville, Florida, courtesy of Ford.
Runner-up (Second Place) receives: $25,000 credit toward 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, a Case IH branded safe, courtesy of Case IH plus $1,665 worth of Stanley Black & Decker merchandise (PROTO, DeWalt, Stanley, Lenox & Irwin), courtesy of Stanley Black & Decker.
Fourth Place receives: A Case IH branded Solo Stove, courtesy of Case IH.