Young Farmer Awards

Michigan Farm Bureau is proud to recognize up-and-coming leaders in the Farm Bureau organization and Michigan's agriculture industry.

Our Young Farmer Award program honors deserving individuals in the following categories and rewards winners with top-notch prizes from generous and loyal program sponsors. In addition, the top four finalists in each category are awarded $400 in cash and MFB apparel sponsored by Farm Bureau Health Services.

Applications are currently closed. Learn more about this year's winners here.

Unsure of which award category to apply for? Find your fit here.
Have questions or interested in applying? Reach out to your Regional Manager.

Young Farmer Achievement

The Young Farmer Achievement Award recognizes successful young farmers who derive a majority of their income from an owned production agriculture enterprise and showcases their achievements in the business of farming (applicants may apply as a couple or an individual).

2026 Winners: Karl and Katie Wernette

2025 Winners: Zach and Ronna Wagner

2024 Winners: Matt and Alisha Gibson

The 2025 State Winner received lease on a Kubota tractor, a $1,000 AgroLiquid gift certificate, $100 in Key Apparel, a Shinola + Kershaw Petoskey stone pocket knife, and an all-expense paid trip to the AFBF Annual Meeting to compete in the national competition.

If you're interested in applying, please be sure to include a completed Official Financial Summary Sheet with your application.

Meet the finalists

Excellence in Agriculture

The Excellence in Agriculture Award is designed to recognize young farmers for their involvement in agriculture, leadership ability and participation in Farm Bureau (applicants may apply as a couple or an individual).

2026 Winner: Samantha and Chase Bos

2025 Winner: Tera Baker

2024 Winner: Darcy Lipskey

2023 Winners: Chris and Jackie Sanford

The 2025 State Winner received a three-month lease of a Michigan CAT Skidsteer, a $1,000 AgroLiquid gift certificate, $100 in Key Apparel, a Shinola + Kershaw Petoskey stone pocket knife, and an all-expense paid trip to the AFBF Annual Meeting to compete in the national competition.

Meet the finalists

Young Agriculture Leader

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.

2026 Winner: Katie Schomaker

2025 Winner: Abby Vittore

2024 Winner: John Bowsky

The 2025 State Winner received a lease on a New Holland compact tractor or utility vehicle from Burnips Equipment, a $1000 AgroLiquid Certificate, $100 in Key Apparel, a Shinola + Kershaw Petoskey stone pocket knife, and an all-expense paid trip to the AFBF YF&R Leadership Conference.

Meet the finalists

Young Agriculture Employee

The Young Agriculture Employee Award recognizes farm employees and ag professionals for their contributions to the success and long-term profitability of their workplace.

Nominees are also judged on their leadership involvement in Farm Bureau, agriculture and the local community.

2026 Winner: Katie Adam

2025 Winner: Jasmine McNary

2024 Winner: Andrew Braun

The 2025 State Winner received $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, $100 in Key Apparel, a Shinola + Kershaw Petoskey stone pocket knife, and an all-expense paid trip to the AFBF YF&R Leadership Conference.

Meet the finalists

Young Farmer Awards