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 9, 2026
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 9, 2026
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 16, 2026
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 16, 2026
Provide the following to register:
- First and last name
- County
- Collegiate DM or regular DM
- Phone number
2027 AFBF YF&R
Discussion Meet Questions
These questions will be used for Pennsylvania Farm Bureau’s 2026 Discussion Meet and Collegiate Discussion Meet at PFB’s 76th Annual Meeting in November. These questions will be used for the YF&R Discussion Meet held during the AFBF Annual Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina and the Collegiate Discussion Meet held during the AFBF FUSION Conference in New Orleans, Louisiana.
1. Growth in rural areas can strain rural energy infrastructure. How can Farm Bureau work with stakeholders to advocate for proactive planning at the local, state and national levels that safeguards affordable, reliable energy access for farmers and ranchers as well as their rural neighbors while protecting farmland from unnecessary eminent domain?
2. Rural and large animal veterinary practices and professionals continue to decrease in numbers across the country. How can Farm Bureau help attract and retain rural and large animal veterinarians for member communities?
3. With the continued ripple effect of supply chain challenges related to meat processing, how can Farm Bureau leverage its grassroots network to reduce barriers and create pathways for the development of local USDA certified meat processing?
4. How can Farm Bureau and its young leaders leverage relationships with agricultural youth organizations to attract more young leaders to the Young Farmers & Ranchers program?
5. Increased public concern over healthy diets and chronic childhood disease has raised questions, as well as criticism, about modern agriculture and the food system. How can Farm Bureau effectively engage in this discussion and advocate for the critical science-based tools and research farmers need to fulfill their commitment to grow healthy, sustainable food, fiber and fuel?
Join a group of young professionals who are leading Pennsylvania Agriculture