Want a new truck or ATV? Now is the time to throw your hat in the ring for a chance to win through Texas Farm Bureau’s (TFB) annual Outstanding Young Farmer & Rancher (YF&R) and Excellence in Agriculture (EIA) contests.

“It’s a great opportunity to highlight and reward young men and women who are making a difference in their field and their communities,” Coleburn Davis, TFB director of Organization Programs, said. “Once again we have great prizes for this year’s winners and finalists, so we encourage all young TFB members to apply.”

The Outstanding YF&R contest is designed for Texas Farm Bureau members under the age of 36 who are actively engaged in farming and/or ranching.

“Our past winners have come from different parts of the state and from different backgrounds,” Davis said. “That’s one of the great things about this contest–we reward ingenuity, dedication and perseverance.”

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 each of the three finalists’ farm and/or ranch to decide who will be the overall winner.

All three finalists will be showcased at TFB’s Annual Meeting this December in Arlington, where the winner will be named.

This year’s state winner will receive: $5,000 cash, courtesy of Farm Credit; the title to a 2016 3/4 ton 4×4 Chevrolet pickup with a diesel engine, courtesy of Texas Farm Bureau Insurance Companies; use of a Case IH Farmall or Maxxum series tractor for one year; a $750 service voucher, courtesy of Chevrolet; a plaque representative of the award; transportation and two nights lodging and meals to the TFB Annual Meeting Dec. 5-7; and a paid trip to represent TFB in the American Farm Bureau Achievement Award program in January in Orlando, Fla.

The two runners-up and their spouses will receive: transportation and lodging to the TFB Annual Meeting; a plaque representative of the award; a new pair of Justin boots, courtesy of Justin Brands, Inc.; a power tool valued at $200, courtesy of Grainger; and a $500 cash award, courtesy of Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company.

EIA rewards TFB members who are involved in agriculture, but don’t make the majority of their income through ag production. Eligible applicants include farm store managers, farm or ranch managers and people who are employed by an agricultural business under the age of 36.

“Texas farmers and ranchers rely on agribusinesses,” Davis said. “These men and women can make a huge impact on the lives of farmers and ranchers and Texas agriculture as a whole. Many also farm and ranch on the side as well.”

The state winner will receive: a $5,000 cash award, courtesy of Farm Credit; a Polaris Ranger, courtesy of Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company; a plaque representative of the award; transportation, lodging and meals for TFB’s Annual Meeting in December; an expense paid trip to compete in the national contest in Florida; and a $750 service voucher, courtesy of Chevrolet.

The two runners-up will receive: transportation, lodging and meals for TFB’s Annual Meeting; a power tool valued at $200, courtesy of Grainger; a new pair of Justin Boots, courtesy of Justin Brands, Inc.; and a $500 cash award, courtesy of Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company.

The deadline to enter is Friday, Aug. 28. Applications and additional information about the contests can be found by clicking the “Young Farmer and Rancher” link under the “YF&R & Leadership Programs” tab on TexasFarmBureau.org.