Natalie Paino of Hightail in Bremer County was named the winner of Iowa Farm Bureau’s 2026 Grow Your Future competition, earning the $10,000 top prize to expand her value-added dairy business.

The Grow Your Future Award supports young farmer entrepreneurs ages 18–35 with niche businesses in rural Iowa focused on specialty products, services and agritourism. Eight entrepreneurs were selected through a competitive application process and narrowed to three finalists through public voting during Iowa Farm Bureau’s annual meeting. Final placings were announced Jan. 24 following live presentations and interviews with judges at the Young Farmer Conference in Des Moines.

Rachel Irwin of Bushels & Blooms in Wapello County earned second place and $5,000, while Jennifer Twaiten-Kraninger of Little Sioux Stems in Dickinson County placed third and received $2,500.

“These young farmers represent the innovation and entrepreneurial spirit that keeps Iowa agriculture strong,” said Iowa Farm Bureau President Brent Johnson. “By supporting value-added businesses and agritourism, Iowa Farm Bureau programs like Grow Your Future help create new opportunities for farm families today and for future generations.”

Hightail

Paino sells ice cream and cheese curds directly to consumers, at local events and through retailers. She launched Hightail while a student at Iowa State University and later purchased a grant-funded, 45-foot creamery container that allows for on-farm milk processing.

“I’ve known from the beginning that I’d have to get creative in order to make this thing work,” Paino said. “I believe that innovation is what will be the driving force of the growth of my operation moving forward.”

She plans to use her winnings to create a farm store and expand customer offerings to include other Iowa-made and Choose Iowa–branded products.

Bushels & Blooms

Irwin of Bushels & Blooms blends row crops and cattle with a cut-flower farmstand and locally-produced food items. The business was created in memory of her parents who lost their lives in a car accident, and to honor her mother’s love of flowers.

“This recognition gives us another platform to share our story, elevate the importance of agriculture and continue growing our operation so we can better serve rural Iowa for generations to come,” Irwin said.

Winnings will help Irwin take steps toward establishing a farm store that would also include a refrigerated space for beef products.  

Little Sioux Stems

Twaiten-Kraninger with Little Sioux Stems is a specialty cut-flower that sells their products through farmers markets, subscriptions and U-pick experiences. She also offers tours and workshops that draw visitors from across Iowa. 

“We love giving back to our community by donating leftover flowers to local nursing homes and daycares and by teaching educational courses not offered anywhere else in our community,” Twaiten-Kraninger said.

Prize funds will support planning for a permanent event space to host year-round activities, weddings and educational programming.

Farmers interested in developing niche market opportunities in Iowa are invited to register for the Acres of Opportunity conference on Feb. 21 in Spencer.