By Julie Tomascik
Editor

The applications for the Texas Farm Bureau (TFB) 2023 Outstanding Young Farmer & Rancher (YF&R) and Excellence in Agriculture (EIA) contests are now open.

“Young farmers and ranchers represent a bright future for Texas agriculture,” Adrienne Synatschk, TFB YF&R Advisory Committee chair, said. “We have a wide variety of farms, ranches and agricultural businesses in Texas, and Farm Bureau’s YF&R contests are a great way to highlight them. Regardless of size, commodity or farming practices—every farmer and rancher has a place in Texas agriculture and Texas Farm Bureau.”

The annual contests are a way to highlight and reward the achievements of the younger generation.

Applicants for both contests must be between the ages of 18 and 35 as of Jan. 22, 2024, and be current TFB members in good standing.

Applicants can apply as individuals or married couples.

“Innovative, diverse, dedicated—those are words that come to mind when I think about young farmers and ranchers in Texas,” said Roger Hall, TFB associate director of Organization Division, Leader Development. “They are doing great things and representing Texas agriculture well on and off the farm. These contests give Farm Bureau the chance to showcase their endeavors and reward them for it.”

But the contests can also serve as a tool to help guide farmers and ranchers in personal and professional growth, Hall noted.

“When completing the application, it’s a time to ask yourself questions and reflect on your business. What changes have you made in the last year or five years? What have you learned? How did you improve? The contests can provide a lot of self-growth and awareness in all areas of their farms and ranches,” he said.

Outstanding Young Farmer & Rancher Contest
The Outstanding YF&R Contest recognizes young farmers and ranchers who are actively engaged in farming or ranching with a majority of their net income subject to normal production risks.

“Young farmers and ranchers look for ways to diversify and be innovative as they care for the land, their families and their communities,” Hall said. “This contest highlights and rewards that dedication and ingenuity, but it also gives young farmers and ranchers an avenue to promote agriculture, sustainability, conservation efforts, advocacy and more.”

One winner is chosen from each of TFB’s 13 districts. Of those, three finalists are selected after a second round of judging. The judges will then visit with the three finalists to determine the overall winner.

The winner will receive a $60,000 member dealer voucher to be used at Ford, Case IH, Grasshopper, CAT or John Deere, courtesy of Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company; an engraved crystal award; and expense-paid trips to both the TFB Annual Meeting and American Farm Bureau Annual Convention.

The two runners-up will receive a $500 cash award, courtesy of Farm Bureau Bank; an engraved acrylic award; and an expense-paid trip to the TFB Annual Meeting.

Each district winner will receive a $1,000 cash award, courtesy of Farm Bureau Bank.

Excellence in Agriculture Contest
The EIA Contest rewards TFB members who are involved in agriculture but don’t make the majority of their income from production agriculture.

Eligible applicants for the contest include, but are not limited to, farm store managers, crop consultants, agricultural educators and those who are employed by an agricultural business or agency.

“The people, businesses and industries that support farmers and ranchers are extremely important to agriculture,” Hall said. “Through the EIA Contest, TFB recognizes members who are involved in ag-related careers but still make time to be involved in production agriculture.”

The winner will receive a $15,000 member dealer voucher to be used at Ford, Case IH, Grasshopper, CAT or John Deere, courtesy of Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company; an engraved crystal award; and expense-paid trips to both the TFB Annual Meeting and AFBF Annual Convention.

The two runners-up will receive a $1,000 cash award, courtesy of Farm Bureau Bank; a $500 cash award, courtesy of Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company; and an expense-paid trip to the TFB Annual Meeting.

Contest information
Applications for both the Outstanding YF&R and EIA contests are due Aug. 4.

Applications, sample questions and instructions are available online at texasfarmbureau.org/YFR.

For questions about the contest or other young farmer activities, email youngfarmers@txfb.org or call Hall at 254-399-5021.

View the 2022 Outstanding YF&R winner and EIA winner.