Agricultural entrepreneurs can now apply for funds through the 2025 Farm Bureau Ag Innovation Challenge hosted by the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) in partnership with Farm Credit.

This national business competition showcases U.S. startup companies developing innovative solutions to challenges faced by America’s farmers, ranchers and rural communities.

The overall winner of the competition will receive $100,000 in startup funds, and the runner-up will be awarded $25,000. Two additional business owners who advance to the final four round will receive $10,000.

“Imagine what $100,000 could do for your business,” AFBF President Zippy Duvall said. “We’ve doubled the prize and doubled the impact.”

Farm Bureau is offering a total of $145,000 in startup funds throughout the course of the competition.

After the application period closes, 10 semi-finalist teams will be selected and announced on Sept. 3. Then, the 10 semi-finalist teams will pitch virtually to compete for a spot in the final four round of the contest.

The final four teams will be awarded $10,000 each and participate in a live pitch competition in front of Farm Bureau members, investors and industry representatives at the AFBF Convention in January 2025 in San Antonio to win:

  • Farm Bureau Ag Innovation Challenge Winner, $90,000 (total of $100,000)
  • Farm Bureau Ag Innovation Challenge Runner-up, $15,000 (total of $25,000)

Farm Bureau is proud to recognize these innovative businesses, in partnership with sponsors Farm Credit, Bayer Crop Science, John Deere, Farm Bureau Bank, Farm Bureau Financial Services and T-Mobile.

Recent winners of the Ag Innovation Challenge include Barn Owl Precision Agriculture, a company that manufactures a fully autonomous robot that supports farmers as they plant crops, control weeds and collect soil samples (2024 Ag Innovation Challenge Winner) and NORDEF, a company that developed technology to produce diesel exhaust fluid at the point of use (2023 Ag Innovation Challenge Winner). Other examples of successful Ag Innovation Challenge participants, as well as detailed eligibility guidelines and the competition timeline, can be found at fb.org/challenge.

Entrepreneurs must be members of a county or parish Farm Bureau within their state of residence to qualify as top 10 semi-finalists.

Interested applicants who are not Texas Farm Bureau members can visit texasfarmbureau.org/membership to learn about becoming a member.

Applications must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time on June 22.