One young Iowa farmer will win $10,000 to grow their ag-related business through Iowa Farm Bureau Federation’s Grow Your Future Award. 

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 onto 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 $10,000, $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,” says Brent Johnson, Iowa Farm Bureau president. “There will be ups and downs, but what sets young farmers apart is how they turn challenges into opportunity. 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.