Young Farmer Program
The Young Farmer program brings together young farmers from across the state of Iowa. Our young farmer members (age 18 - 35) farm on a full or part-time basis, work in the agriculture industry or just want to become more involved in agriculture. The program provides leadership and participation opportunities to encourage young members to build a stronger network and become active in the organization and the agricultural community.
Through the Young Farmer program, those with a passion for agriculture have a chance to acquire cutting edge information through participation in educational conferences, earn recognition for their achievements and continue their professional development and personal growth.
2025 Young Farmer Conference
January 17-18, 2025 at the Community Choice Convention Center - Downtown Des Moines
This conference is a great opportunity to reconnect with friends and peers, make new connections, network, and learn from professionals in the agriculture industry – while still having a bit of fun too! You’ll have an opportunity to learn about cutting-edge technologies, new ag opportunities, sustainability practices and financial management techniques to help you grow and succeed on your farms through a variety of breakout sessions.
For more information on the 2025 Young Farmer Conference and to view an agenda – see below.
LEARN MORE
Registration is open December 2, 2024, through January 3, 2025. To register, contact your local County Farm Bureau.
2024 Winner - Ashley Wenke of Pleasant Grove Homestead (Poweshiek County)
Grow Your Future Award
Iowa Farm Bureau’s Grow Your Future award started with a singular mission to celebrate the entrepreneurial spirit of young farmers and encourage the development and growth of ag-related endeavors.
If you’re a young Iowa entrepreneur with an innovative ag-related business – this award is for you.
LEARN MORE & APPLY
The application period has closed. Applications for the 2026 Award will reopen in May 2025.
Five contestants have been selected and will be narrowed down through online voting from December 9-15. The top three will compete in a pitch-off at the 2025 Young Farmer Conference, January 17-18, at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines. The overall winner will receive a $10,000 grand prize to grow their business, with second place earning $5,000 and third place $2,500.
Congratulations to our 2025 finalists!
Bushels & Blooms Farm
Calyx Creek Lavender & Lodging
Canaan Farms, LLC
Holly View Acres, LLC
Tenley Farms
2024 Winners - James Hepp of Calhoun County, Kaitlyn Porter of Franklin County, Nate Hofmann of Linn County
YF Leadership Award (Honoring Bob Joslin)
This award is an opportunity for young farmers who are actively contributing and growing through their involvement in Farm Bureau and agriculture to earn recognition. County Farm Bureaus nominate deserving young leaders, and participants are judged on leadership experience and involvement within Farm Bureau, their community, and other agriculture organizations.
More information on the 2025 award will be available in December. 2025 award nominations will be due April 11.
Prizes
- A $2,000 grant to local organization of winner’s choice
- Expense paid trip to 2025 AFBF Annual Convention or YF&R Conference
- Expense paid trip to 2025 IFBF Young Farmer Conference
- $1500 cash from GROWMARK
- $500 gift certificate from Grainger
- Video highlighting winner’s leadership and involvement
2024 Winners:
James Hepp, Calhoun County
Kaitlyn Porter, Franklin County
Nate Hofmann, Linn County
Three winners of the Young Farmer Leadership Award will be honored at the Iowa Farm Bureau Annual Meeting in Des Moines December 10-11, 2024.
2023 Winner - Sarah Tweeten, Cerro Gordo County
Discussion Meet
The Discussion Meet helps young farmers build discussion skills, develop a keen understanding of important ag issues, and explore how groups can pool knowledge to reach a consensus and solve problems. Individuals compete on a panel of three to six people in a free-wheeling style, as if they were sitting around the kitchen table discussing a problem. They exchange ideas and information to solve the problem. Each contestant is judged on cooperative attitude, problem solving & implementation, delivery, and analysis of the topic.
Congratulations to the 2023 Discussion Meet Final Four:
First Place - Sarah Tweeten, Cerro Gordo County
Second Place - Larissa Schippers, Mahaska County
Third Place - Molly Dolch, Adair County
Fourth Place - Coltin Schachtner, Pocahontas County
The 2024 Discussion Meet competition (sponsored by Growmark and Grainger) took place at the 2024 Young Farmer Conference, February 2-3, 2024.
Congratulations to the 2024 Discussion Meet Semi-Finalists:
Kyle Larsen, Humboldt County
Jarret Horn, Jasper County
Larissa Schippers, Mahaska County
Joy Van Wyngarden, Mahaska County
Dani Rehder, O’Brien County
Coltin Schachtner, Pocahontas County
Sierra Hagedon, Tama County
Alternates
Lauren Britton, Boone County
Amanda Hoefler, Dubuque County
Finalists receive coaching throughout the year to prepare for the final rounds held during the Iowa Farm Bureau Annual Meeting December 10-11, 2024 in Des Moines. Prizes are awarded to the top four state finishers. The winner will advance to the national Young Farmer Discussion Meet at the 2025 American Farm Bureau annual meeting in San Antonio.
Young Farmer Advisory Committee
Contact your district representative for more information on Young Farmer activities in your area.2024-2025 Officers:
Chair: Zac Preston
Vice-Chair: Megan McAllister
Secretary: Mitchell Sievers
Public Relations Co-Chairs: Alyssa Preston & Ashley McEnany
Young Farmer Committee Spotlight
Meet some of Iowa’s young farm families who are part of our Young Farmer Advisory Committee.Ted and Megan McAllister
Tanner Brass
Mitchell and Bradi Sievers
Tim and Nicole Cohoon
Michael and Ashley McEnany
Joris and Katherine Boelen
Matt and Hilary Lanman
Zac and Alyssa Preston
Tyler and Abby Woodward
Contact Info:
To learn more about Young Farmer programs and activities, contact Leadership Training Manager Molly Shanahan.