WEST DES MOINES, Iowa—Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF) is seeking applications for the next “Grow Your Future” Award winner. This competition, reserved for IFBF members ages 18-35, is for entrepreneurs with a farming-related niche or specialty business.

First, second and third place finalists will receive $7,500, $5000 and $2,500, respectively, to expand their businesses. To apply, submit an application and short video to www.iowafarmbureau.com/growyourfuture.

“To make the family farm work, a majority of today’s young farmers have off-farm income,” says IFBF President Brent Johnson. “We have seen ingenious ideas result from that situation. Iowa agriculture is incredibly diverse, and past Grow Your Future Award participants exemplify that. Farmers in this contest have raised crickets for human consumption, developed successful direct-to-consumer markets and helped further Iowa’s water quality goals through custom cover crop services. Our goal is to help the next generation of farmers excel in whatever method of farming they choose.”

Up to ten entrepreneurs will be selected from the applicant pool and then narrowed down by public vote. Those who emerge from the vote will compete in a pitch-off during the 2023 Young Farmer Conference on Jan. 28, 2023, where top three placings will be announced.

The winners of the 2022 Grow Your Future Award, in order, were Lillie Beringer of Beringer Family Farms, Jade Moret of Holland Flower Farm and Melissa Nelson of Hungry Canyon.

“The Grow Your Future Award allowed me to share my story and financially take my beef sales to the next level with increased freezer space,” says 2022 first-place winner, Lillie Beringer. “I enjoyed networking with like-minded, young farmer entrepreneurs and was truly humbled by the opportunity and constant support.”    

(contributed press release, Iowa Farm Bureau)