Tanner and Lakaya Tenley of Tenley Farms near Mechanicsville have been named Iowa Farm Bureau Federation’s “Grow Your Future” Award first-place winners. The Tenleys will take home $10,000 to expand their direct-to-consumer beef, pork and milk business.

The Grow Your Future competition helps young farmers, ages 18-35, amplify their ag-related niche market, unique service or specialty business. The competition began with entrepreneurs submitting video applications in August 2024, followed by public voting during Iowa Farm Bureau’s annual meeting in December to narrow the contestant pool. Placings were announced during Iowa Farm Bureau’s Young Farmer Conference on Jan. 18 after the three finalists competed in a live pitch-off.

The Tenleys raise Angus cattle and Duroc pigs. Both Tanner and Lakaya grew up on dairy farms and saw an opportunity to add fresh milk products to their customer offerings to “complete the farm-to-table" experience, says Lakaya. Using their award money, the Tenleys will launch a farm store to give people the opportunity to visit a local farm and reduce time on the road for deliveries.

In second place, Taylor and Stephanie Getting of Calyx Creek and Lavender Lodgings in Johnson County near Oxford received $5,000 to expand their lavender fields and add equipment to produce lavender-based products like lotions, soaps and syrups.

Michael and Maria Gallagher of Holly View Acres in Woodbury County near Hornick earned third place and a $2,500 prize, which they will use to enhance their pumpkin patch and corn maze with additional kids' activities.

"The spirit of the young farmer is rooted in resilience, innovation and a willingness to embrace new opportunities,” says Amanda Van Steenwyk, Iowa Farm Bureau’s farm business development manager. “These farmers are not just growing crops or raising livestock; they are strengthening their rural communities, and Iowa Farm Bureau sees that as a win-win.”