Contests Overview
Highlight individual achievements. Discuss complex agricultural issues. Share your Texas agriculture story. And be rewarded! Because actively contributing and growing in agriculture and Texas Farm Bureau has its benefits like cash prizes and recognition for a job well done.
Outstanding Young Farmer & Rancher and Excellence in Agriculture contest applications are due May 15.
Click here for Outstanding Young Farmer & Rancher contest guidelines.
Click here for Excellene in Agriculture contest guidelines.
The Discussion Meet Contest registration will open Aug. 1.
Winners of the Outstanding Young Farmer & Rancher Contest, Excellence in Agriculture Contest and the Discussion Meet will be announced at the TFB Annual Meeting Dec. 4-6 in Waco.
Contact youngfarmers@txfb.org with questions.
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Young Farmer & Rancher Spring Conference
Speakers. Networking. Fun. Get it all and more at the Young Farmer & Rancher Spring Conference!
The 2026 Young Farmer & Rancher Spring Conference is set for April 17-19 in Waco.
The Collegiate Discussion Meet will also be part of the conference.
Click here to register. Registration closes March 22.
Conference Price Package Options:
Package A: $300 – Registration for 2 | 2 nights lodging
Package B: $250 – Registration for 1 | 2 nights lodging
Package C: $150 – Registration for 2 | No hotel
Package D: $100 – Registration for 1 | No hotel
Collegiate participants receive a $100 discount from packages A or B listed above.
Students who participate in the Collegiate Discussion Meet may apply for an additional $100 reimbursement after the contest.
For more questions about the event, contact youngfarmers@txfb.org.
Collegiate Discussion Meet
Meet. Discuss. Win! Brush up on your knowledge of agricultural topics and join other college students from across the state for Texas Farm Bureau’s Collegiate Discussion Meet.
Competing has its benefits! The contest winner receives a cash prize and an expense-paid trip to represent Texas in the American Farm Bureau Federation’s Collegiate Discussion Meet Contest.
The Collegiate Discussion Meet will be held during the YF&R Spring Conference in Waco on April 17-19.
The Discussion Meet manual will be available in early February.
Click here to register. Registration closes March 22.
An advisor form must be submitted with the Collegiate Discussion Meet registration. Click here to download the form.
Contact youngfarmers@txfb.org for questions regarding the contest.
County YF&R Awards Program
Strong members build strong counties, and the County YF&R Awards Program is designed to recognize the work that makes that happen.
The program rewards County Farm Bureau Young Farmers & Ranchers (YF&R) committees for outstanding efforts in agricultural promotion and member engagement. County YF&R committees will earn points for activities, such as contests, meetings, promotional events, legislative engagement and membership drives.
The Top Committee will receive an all-expense paid trip for committee members to the 2027 AFBF Fusion Conference.
The program runs Jan. 22 through Oct. 31.
All submissions must be completed by Nov. 7.
View the guidelines document for complete program details and access the application form here.
For questions about the awards program, contact youngfarmers@txfb.org.
Fall Tour
Take the path less traveled and learn about the diversity of agriculture in the Lone Star State. It’s a little education and a whole lot of fun!
The 2026 Fall Tour is set for Sept. 11-13 in East Texas.
Registration will open this summer.
The YF&R Fall Tour provides opportunities to:
- Learn about the diversity of Texas agriculture.
- Learn about agriculture indigenous to the area.
- Develop a network with other young producers from across the state.
- Fellowship with one another and make new friends.
- Introduce young people to Texas Farm Bureau and Young Farmer & Rancher activities.
Collegiate Farm Bureau
The Texas Collegiate Farm Bureau program currently has five chapters chartered. For information about programs currently enrolled in our pilot program, click here.
For questions and inquiries regarding chartering a program at your college or university, reach out to program coordinator McKenna Bush at mbush@txfb.org or 254-399-5037.
Advisory Committee
Have a question about agriculture? Want to get more involved? Meet other young farmers and ranchers in your area and across the state?
Connect with one of the members of the Young Farmer & Rancher Advisory Committee. They can offer direction, provide information and share their experiences.
Message from the chair
“Young farmers and ranchers need, now more than ever, a space to plant and cultivate relationships, knowledge, and skills to make themselves and their operations successful within agriculture. The Young Farmer & Rancher program creates this space through opportunities to network and develop skills, further information transfer and knowledge base, as well as provide hands-on learning and leadership development. Together, we are developing strong and successful futures for our farms, businesses, and communities.”
—Ryan Yeatts
Take advantage of a bright agricultural future. Learn to better yourself and your business. And inspire other young farmers and ranchers. To be innovative, resourceful and engaged.
You—young farmers and ranchers ages 18 to 35—are driving the future trends of agriculture. Get involved. And leave your mark on Texas agriculture.