Winners of the Young Farmers & Ranchers Achievement Award, Discussion Meet and Excellence in Agriculture competitive events were announced at the American Farm Bureau’s 107th Convention. Young farmers and ranchers from across the country competed for the awards by demonstrating knowledge, achievement and commitment to promoting agriculture.
First-place award winners in each of the three competitive events receive $35,000 in credit toward a new Ford vehicle, as well as paid registration to the AFBF YF&R Conference, which will be held March 13 to 16 in Portland, Oregon. Both prizes are provided by Ford Motor Company.
Runners-up who finish in second place in each competitive event receive a $25,000 credit toward new Case IH equipment, courtesy of Case IH.
Finalists in third place receive a $2,500 Investing in Your Future cash prize from AmericanAg, a Case IH-branded safe, courtesy of Case IH, as well as $2,500 worth of Stanley Black & Decker merchandise, courtesy of Stanley Black & Decker. Finalists in fourth place receive a Case IH-branded picnic set worth more than $1,000, courtesy of Case IH.
Achievement Award
- Drew and Lauren Wendland of Alabama won the Achievement Award.
- Layton and Jessi Schur of Texas are the second-place runners-up.
- Clay and Paula Craun Greene of Virginia won third place.
- Harrison and Taylor Jenkins of North Carolina are the fourth-place finalists.
The Achievement Award recognizes young farmers and ranchers who have excelled in their farming or ranching operations and exhibited superior leadership abilities. Participants are evaluated on a combination of their agricultural operation’s growth and financial progress, Farm Bureau leadership and leadership outside of Farm Bureau.
Discussion Meet
- Lindy McMillen of Kansas won the Discussion Meet.
- Cody Burke of Kentucky is the second-place runner-up.
- Kade Hill of Illinois won third place.
- Bradie Anderson of Idaho is the fourth-place finalist.
The Discussion Meet simulates a committee meeting in which active discussion and participation are expected. Participants are evaluated on their ability to exchange ideas and information on a predetermined topic.
Excellence in Agriculture Award
- Tera Baker of Michigan won the Excellence in Agriculture Award.
- Alyssa Clements of Tennessee is the second-place runner-up.
- Megan Espinda of Indiana won third place.
- Garrett and Kortney Gaddy of Mississippi are the fourth-place finalists.
The Excellence in Agriculture Award recognizes young farmers and ranchers who do not derive the majority of their income from an agricultural operation, but who actively contribute and grow through their involvement in agriculture, leadership ability and participation in Farm Bureau and other organizations.
Also during the convention, members of the AFBF YF&R Committee elected a new executive team. Tommy Salisbury from Oklahoma will be the committee’s chair for 2026, taking over the position in March at the end of the YF&R Conference, and will serve for one year. He will also serve a one-year term on the AFBF board of directors.
Cleve Jackson of Georgia was elected vice chair and Katie Wiese of Minnesota was elected secretary. They will each serve one-year terms.
