Public voting set for Dec. 9-15 to narrow the field to top 3 in annual IFBF entrepreneur contest.

Five semifinalists for the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation’s (IFBF) 2025 Grow Your Future Award have been announced ahead of voting set to begin next week. Public voting, to be held Dec. 9-15, will reduce the group to three finalists who will compete for cash prizes in a pitch-off at IFBF’s 2025 Young Farmer Conference in January.

The five finalists include (in alphabetical order):

• Bushels & Blooms Farm, a family-run farmstand business near Batavia in Wapello County, was started in 2024 by Rachel Irwin as a tribute to her parents, who passed away before the business opened. The farm offers fresh flowers, eggs and produce. Rachel manages the farmstand and flower production, while her husband helps out when not tending to their row crops, hay business and cattle.

• Calyx Creek Lavender & Lodging, a lavender farm near Oxford, was established in 2022 by Taylor and Stephanie Getting. They offer a variety of lavender products, from bouquets to culinary items. Visitors can enjoy picking lavender, relaxing in unique treehouse lodgings and attending events. Despite early challenges, the farm, supported by family and summer staff, has flourished, sharing the joy of lavender with thousands of visitors.

• Canaan Farms, & owned by Alyssa Yoder, is located near North English in Iowa County, specializing in producing high-quality beef and lamb. Alyssa manages all aspects of the farm, from livestock care to marketing and home deliveries of meat. Her commitment to community involvement includes serving on the county Farm Bureau board and sponsoring local events. While Alyssa handles most tasks, she occasionally receives help from her family and neighboring farms.

• Holly View Acres, & an 8-acre corn maze and pumpkin patch business in rural Iowa, is owned and operated by Michael and Maria. Established in 2022, the farm offers a serene harvest experience with activities like hay rack rides, sensory tables, and a kid’s maze. Michael and Maria, along with their eight employees, manage daily operations, while their three young children add to the family-friendly atmosphere.

• Tenley Farms, & run by Tanner and Lakaya Tenley, is located near Mechanicsville in Cedar County and specializes in producing raw milk from their Jersey cows. Both Tanner and Lakaya were raised in dairy farming families and bring generational knowledge to their operation. They also offer beef and pork, completing the farm-to-table experience. The Tenleys share all responsibilities, from animal care to marketing, with help from their children and extended family.

Promoting their products

“The Grow Your Future Award offers young farmers the opportunity to promote what they’re already doing on their farm,” said Amanda Van Steenwyk, IFBF farm business development manager, who oversees the program. “Feedback we’ve received from past participants is they really appreciate the learning opportunity Grow Your Future provides and the opportunity to showcase their business on a statewide platform.”

Participants are encouraged to promote the voting period to their fans and friends on social media to gain votes in hopes of making one of the top three spots. Promotions and more information are available at https://www.iowafarmbureau.com/Farmer-Resources/Farm-Bureau-Leaders/Grow-Your-Future-Award

With three prizes available, “if you make it to the pitch-off, you’re guaranteed to win money,” Van Steenwyk said. First prize is $10,000, second is $5,000, and third prize is $2,500.

Pitch-off in January

The pitch-off will take place during the IFBF Young Farmers Conference in January. Ahead of that, Van Steenwyk offers coaching and practice time to participants. “We really want to set them up for success,” she said.

The final order of winners will be decided by a combination of judges’ scores and audience votes at the conference.