By Emmy Powell
Communications Specialist

County Farm Bureaus can earn prizes and bragging rights through the 2026 Golden Buckle Awards Program.

“This award stands as Texas Farm Bureau’s highest recognition for counties, celebrating their commitment to strengthening membership and promoting agriculture across their communities,” Bryce Moore, Texas Farm Bureau (TFB) director of Field Operations, said.

The program will run concurrent with TFB’s membership year Nov. 1, 2025 through Oct. 31, 2026.

The Golden Buckle Award is designed to document, incentivize and celebrate county Farm Bureaus for participating in legislative advocacy, educational outreach and member engagement.

“This award highlights counties that go above and beyond, promoting agriculture, growing membership and staying actively involved in Farm Bureau all year long,” Moore said. “It’s a true reflection of the hard work and heart our counties put into serving their communities.”

Purpose activities include membership drives or events, legislative advocacy efforts and local agricultural promotion. It also includes attendance or participation in TFB events and conferences, as well as Young Farmer & Rancher programs and educational and urban outreach activities.

County Farm Bureaus will receive points for attendance or participation by county leaders.

“This program guides counties through a full year of purposeful work and helps them document their impact in their communities and for Texas agriculture,” Moore said. “When counties lean into the guidelines, they set themselves up for a strong and successful year.”

For the first time since the award was established, two counties shared the top honor in 2025. Montgomery and Smith County Farm Bureaus received the Golden Buckle Award last year. The first runner-up was Brazoria-Galveston County Farm Bureau, and Hill County Farm Bureau was named second runner-up.

“We had great participation last year,” Moore said. “Our county leaders championed agriculture, strengthened membership, built relationships in their communities and showcased what Farm Bureau is all about. We can’t wait to see how counties elevate their efforts in 2026.”

County Farm Bureaus must complete and submit the awards program worksheet by Nov. 6.

The winning county Farm Bureau will receive $10,000 and a custom belt buckle. The first runner-up will receive $5,000, and the second runner-up will receive $2,500.

In addition to the state Golden Buckle Award, there will be category winners and runners-up will be based on membership: Under 617 members, 617 to 994 members, 995 to 1,523 members, 1,524 to 2,087 members, 3,169 to 4,235 members and over 4,235 members.

The category winners and runners-up will receive $1,000 for 2026 TFB Annual Meeting expenses. Counties must attend the Annual Meeting to receive the prize money.

For more information on the program, visit texasfarmbureau.org/goldenbuckle or contact Moore at bmoore@txfb.org or call 254-399-5028.