Achievement Award
The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) annually conducts a Young Farmers & Ranchers (YF&R) Achievement Award competition. State Farm Bureaus are encouraged to promote this activity among county Farm Bureaus. Selection of the winning YF&R competitor is based on his/her efforts in production agriculture and leadership achievement. Participation in this program with individual recognition and the resulting publicity will help build the organization. The ideal candidate(s) for the Achievement Award is an individual or couple involved in production agriculture with a majority of his/her net income subject to normal production risks.
Deadline: October 3, 2025
Excellence in Ag
Rubric & App
The Young Farmers & Ranchers (YF&R) Excellence in Agriculture Award competition is designed as an opportunity for young farmers and ranchers to earn recognition, while actively contributing and growing though their involvement in Farm Bureau and agriculture. Participants will be judged on their involvement in agriculture, leadership ability, and participation/involvement in Farm Bureau and other organizations (i.e., civic, service and community). The ideal candidate(s) for the Excellence in Agriculture Award is an individual or couple who does not have the majority of his/her net income subject to normal production risk.
Deadline: October 3, 2025
Social Media Award
As the average person becomes further and further removed from production agriculture it is becoming increasingly more important to tell the story of agriculture. The state Young Ag Professionals Committee recognizes the need to tell the positive story of agriculture and utilize current media to do so. This is a perfect way to get the positive story of modern agriculture out to the general public. The contest is open to all PFB members between 18-35. These five minute, educational videos will be used to showcase the positive aspects of modern agriculture and allow us to promote agriculture on a broad scale. Videos will be posted on YouTube, included in other social media sites, showcased at meetings and much more! Whether it is highlighting your own dairy farm, a neighbor’s hog operation or a whole industry, everyone has a positive story to tell and now is the time to get the message out!
Deadline: October 3, 2025
Discussion Meet Contest
The Discussion Meet is a competition promoted by the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) Young Farmers & Ranchers (YF&R) Committee. Farm Bureau’s strength depends on its members’ abilities to analyze agricultural issues and decide on solutions that best meet their needs. The competition is designed to simulate a committee meeting where discussion and active participation are expected from each committee member. Participants build basic discussion skills, develop a keen understanding of important agricultural issues and explore how groups can pool knowledge to reach consensus and solve problems. A successful participant is a productive thinker rather than an emotional persuader. He/she will assist the group in creating ways to implement the solutions discussed and highlight Farm Bureau’s involvement in those actions/steps.
AFBF YF&R Conference will be in Portland, Oregon, on March 13-16, 2026
AFBF Annual Convention will be in Anaheim, California, on January 9-13, 2026
Deadline: October 17, 2025
Provide the following to register:
- First and last name
- County
- Collegiate DM or regular DM
- Phone number
2026 AFBF YF&R
Discussion Meet Questions
These questions will be used for Pennsylvania Farm Bureau’s 2025 Discussion Meet and Collegiate Discussion Meet at PFB’s 75th Annual Meeting in November. These questions will also be used at the 2026 YF&R Discussion Meet held during the AFBF Annual Convention in Anaheim, California, and the 2026 Collegiate Discussion Meet held during the AFBF YF&R Leadership Conference in Portland, Oregon.
1. Urban sprawl presents significant challenges for farmers and ranchers, impacting access to land and resources. We see that 1.9 million acres of agricultural land are lost to development each year. How can Farm Bureau help promote responsible growth in communities while mitigating the loss of farms, ranches, and the agrarian way of life?
2. Technology has made the world more interconnected than ever, creating new avenues for communication with policymakers. How can digital engagement be leveraged to effectively connect Farm Bureau members with their local, state, and national elected and appointed officials?
3. There are numerous resources available to support seamless farm and ranch succession planning. How can Farm Bureau help increase understanding, access and utilization of tools and resources that help facilitate the smooth transition of land and capital from one generation to the next?
4. Farmers and ranchers are at the forefront of environmental stewardship. From soil health to local ecosystems, producers are concerned about how to be both environmentally and financially sustainable. How can farmers and ranchers effectively advance environmental stewardship while balancing the needs of their farms?
5. Farm Bureau offers a diverse range of member benefits at the state and national levels. What strategies can be implemented to ensure members are fully informed about the savings on products and services available to them? Additionally, how can young farmers and ranchers leverage these industry relationships to strengthen local partnerships and increase utilization of these discounts to keep their operations running smoothly?
Join a group of young professionals who are leading Pennsylvania Agriculture