2024 Young Farmer Award winners announced

Four outstanding Young Farmers who competed with 12 other contestants in four categories — Achievement, Employee, Leader and Excellence — have been announced as winners of Michigan Farm Bureau’s (MFB) 2024 Young Farmer Awards: John Bowsky, Andrew Braun, Matt and Alisha Gibson, and Darcy Lipskey.

Every year Michigan young farmers, ages 18-35, face off in categories geared toward recognizing their agricultural involvement, leadership and achievements. 

“Our Young Farmer Award winners and finalists embody the spirit of agricultural leadership, actively advocating for and advancing Michigan's farming community,” said Katie Eisenberger, MFB’s new Young Farmer manager. “Their dedication and contributions significantly enhance Michigan agriculture, and we are immensely grateful for their enthusiasm and efforts.”

Leader: John Bowsky

The Young Agriculture Leader Award honors successful young agriculturalists who earn the majority of their income from a farm operation for their outstanding leadership in Farm Bureau, farming and throughout the agricultural community.

Fourth-generation farmer John Bowsky raises 500 acres of soybeans and red wheat outside Brown City in Sanilac County, working alongside his sisters Jessica and Jennifer. He also works full-time with the Blue Water Conservation District as a MAEAP technician, helping Sanilac County farmers achieve verification in the Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program.

Growing his family’s centennial farm so the next generation can prosper on it weighs heavily in Bowsky’s ambitions for the future. 

“I would like to continue growth on the farm, increasing our community involvement and continue the legacy we started four generations ago,” he said, crediting Farm Bureau for helping equip him what he needs to get the job done.

The other three Leader finalists were Emily Boeve (Ottawa County), Kyle Rasch (Ottawa) and Allison Schafer (Clinton).

As the state winner, Bowsky receives a lease on a New Holland compact tractor from Burnips Equipment; a $1,000 AgroLiquid Certificate; and an all-expense paid trip to the AFBF FUSION Conference. 

Employee: Andrew Braun

The Young Agriculture Employee Award recognizes farm employees and ag professionals for their contributions to the success of their workplace, and their leadership involvement in Farm Bureau, agriculture and the local community.

Clinton County native Andrew Braun manages 1,800 acres of potato ground near Cass City and Hemlock for Walther Farms. Back home in Clinton County he helps his parents and wife Natalie farm 1,000 acres of corn, soybeans and wheat near Ovid.

For Walther, Braun is focused on developing the next generation of farm managers who can take on his role in time. Back home the goal is to increase profitability so it can sustain mom, dad and his growing family — without the need for a second job off farm.

He appreciates the opportunities he’s found through Farm Bureau membership.

“Just the ability to network with other farmers from around my county, state and to some extent the country,” Braun said, has tremendous value.

The other three Employee finalists were Nathan Beyerlein (Tuscola County), Cameron Cook (Clinton) and Matt Kubowitsch (Kalamazoo).

As the state winner, Braun receives $5,000 off the first payment of a lease or installment on a 100-horsepower or larger tractor from GreenMark Equipment; a $1,000 AgroLiquid gift certificate; and an all-expense paid trip to the AFBF FUSION Conference.

Achievement: Matt & Alisha Gibson

The Young Farmer Achievement Award recognizes successful young farmers — individuals or couples — who derive most of their income from an owned production agriculture enterprise and showcases their achievements in the business of farming.

Matt and Alisha Gibson farm in Kalamazoo County, operating an 800-head hog-finishing facility and raising 1,100 acres of corn and soybeans. Matt and his uncle farm together under an LLC they created in 2023, while Alisha works as an assurance manager at Plante Moran. 

Purchasing property and branching out to farm on their own rank as their proudest achievements. Matt bought the hog-finishing component when he was just 18. Together they aim to continue expanding their operation, building a sustainable future for their family while improving practices to gain efficiencies moving forward.

They credit Farm Bureau with helping them build a network of like-minded peers across the state and enriching their sense of community, both in their own neighborhood and across the southwestern Lower Peninsula.

The other three Achievement finalists were Nathan Engelhard (Tuscola County), Brayton Lehman (Ionia) and Zachary Wagner (Clinton).

As the state winner, the Gibsons receive a lease on a Kubota tractor; a $1,000 AgroLiquid gift certificate; and an all-expense paid trip to the AFBF Annual Meeting to compete in the national competition.

Excellence: Darcy Lipskey

The Excellence in Agriculture Award is designed to recognize young farmers — individuals or couples — for their involvement in agriculture, leadership ability and participation in Farm Bureau.

Sixth-generation farmer Darcy Lipskey raises corn, wheat, dry beans and alfalfa hay to feed and bed her family’s cow/calf Angus operation near Minden City in Sanilac County. She also keeps a small herd of Boer goats.

“When I’m not on the farm I work for the Natural Resources Conservation Service, helping landowners enhance conservation efforts by identifying resource concerns,” she said.

A passionate community supporter, Lipskey helped establish Freeze Out Hunger, a two-pronged attack on food insecurity that supplies protein to several area food pantries — and the vital freezer space needed to store it — all while supporting local agriculture, since that protein comes from animals purchased at the county fair.

The ethic of selfless service permeating Lipskey’s farm and community life has strong parallels in her Farm Bureau membership. Another goal sees her bridging the gap between Farm Bureau and youth organizations like 4-H and FFA. 

The other three Excellence finalists were Julia Chamberlain (Ingham County), Erica Drake (Washtenaw) and Allan Robinette (Kent).

As the state winner, Lipskey will receive a three-month lease on a Michigan CAT skid-steer; a $1,000 AgroLiquid gift certificate; and an all-expense paid trip to the AFBF Annual Meeting to compete in the national competition.