Applications are open for Iowa Farm Bureau’s Grow Your Future Award, which offers young farmers a top prize of $10,000 to grow their ag-related business. 

The annual competition recognizes Farm Bureau members, ages 18 to 35, who are building businesses in niche production, agritourism and other specialty services. The award celebrates entrepreneurs strengthening rural communities and agriculture through innovation. 

Applications are due by Sept. 1 at www.iowafarmbureau.com/growyourfuture.


A panel of judges will select finalists to move on to an online public vote between Dec. 8-14. The three contestants with the most votes will compete in a live pitch-off during the Iowa Farm Bureau Young Farmer Conference on Jan. 24, 2026, where a top winner will be named. 

In addition to the $10,000 grand prize, second- and third-place finalists will receive $5,000 and $2,500, respectively. Past winners have included direct-to-consumer meat businesses, on-farm lodging experiences, cover crop seed services and farms producing specialty crops and cut flowers.

“Farming will always come with its challenges. There will be ups and downs, but what sets young farmers apart is how they turn challenges into opportunity,” says Iowa Farm Bureau President Brent Johnson, a Calhoun County farmer. “Especially those competing in the Grow Your Future Award, they constantly ask themselves ‘What can I do differently? How can I innovate and add value to my farm?’ It’s inspiring to see how they achieve success and contribute to the broader community with their creativity and resilience.”

The Grow Your Future Award is part of Iowa Farm Bureau’s broader commitment to rural entrepreneurship. Through its programs, the organization has mentored nearly 4,000 business owners and contributed more than $150 million in economic impact across rural Iowa.