State and National Competitions
Young Ag Professionals
YAP/AFBF award applications for 2024 will be available the summer of 2023.
Award Descriptions, Application, Rubrics are for sample purposes only.
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.
SAMPLE FILES
Excellence in Agriculture Award
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.
SAMPLE FILES
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 Farmer & Rancher 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 You Tube, included in other social media sites, showcased at meetings and much more! Whether it is highlighting your own dairy farm, a neighbors hog operation or a whole industry, everyone has a positive story to tell and now is the time to get the message out!
SAMPLE FILES
Discussion Meet Award
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 Omaha, NE on March 8-11
AFBF Annual Meeting will be in Salt Lake City, UT on January 19-23
SAMPLE FILES
2024 AFBF YF&R
Discussion Meet Questions
These questions will be used for the YF&R Discussion Meet held during the AFBF Annual Convention and the Collegiate Discussion Meet held during the AFBF FUSION Conference in 2024.
1. Production agriculture requires a lot of capital. Young farmers and ranchers face challenges gaining access to the capital they need to start or grow their operations. What tools are currently available, and what new programs could be introduced, to help young people access financial resources—and make sound financial decisions—to run their farms and ranches?
2. Working with elected officials, in all levels of government, is critical to advancing public policy that supports farmers and ranchers. How can Farm Bureau help elected leaders better understand the challenges of the agriculture sector and the importance of supporting the financial viability of America’s family farms and ranches?
3. What is sustainable agriculture and how can Farm Bureau help farmers and ranchers access market-based solutions that advance sustainability goals without restricting their ability to stock America’s pantries, help feed a growing population and maintain farm profitability?
4. Farmers and ranchers across the country are diverse in not only the goods they produce, but also in the ways they raise and market them. Farm Bureau’s role is to broadly represent all producers. How can our organization further welcome and engage diverse agricultural communities and cultivate dynamic future Farm Bureau leaders?
5. Agriculture uses water for everything from growing crops, raising livestock and moving products to and from farms and ranches. Water issues are often hotly debated, are unique to each region and can pose significant challenges to growers. How can Farm Bureau help address