Farm Bureau Veteran Farmer Award of Excellence

Each year AFBF picks one military veteran who is active in farming or agriculture and in their community and gives them $10,000 in cash. The winner also gets up to $5,000 to travel to the AFBF Convention, where the cash is handed out. Entrants send a nomination form with a written narrative, and judges score excellence in farming and community impact. The 2026 entry window ran June 17–September 1, 2026. 2026 was the program's second year.

• Veteran who has served or is currently serving in any branch of the U.S. military and is actively involved in agriculture and their community

• Legal resident of the U.S. or U.S. territories, 18 or older

• 'Applicants are not required to be Farm Bureau members.'

• Not open to past winners or AFBF/Farm Credit employees, directors, officers, agents and their immediate families (state Farm Bureau board members may enter)

• Winner must attend the AFBF Convention (Charlotte, NC, January 8-13, 2027) to receive the cash prize

One winner per year. $10,000 cash, paid at the Convention, plus up to $5,000 in travel reimbursement. Skill-based contest judged by AFBF-selected judges. The winner must share their story publicly.

Published amounts: The recipient of the award will receive $10,000 plus reimbursement of up to $5,000 in travel and other expenses incurred for the recipient and their guest to attend the American Farm Bureau Federation Convention

Apply on Submittable (link on the program page) by submitting a nomination form with a written narrative on excellence in farming or agriculture and community impact, plus a Contestant Release and any Third-Party Releases. Forms are at fb.org/veteranfarmer. Entries close at the deadline or after 200 compliant entries, whichever comes first.

Deadline text on the page: Applications due by 11:59 p.m. ET on Tuesday, September 1, 2026. The 2027 AFBF Veteran Farmer Award of Excellence recipient will be notified in mid-September, with the winner recognized publicly on Veterans Day, November 11, 2026. (Official Rules: Entries must be received after June 17, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. EST and before September 1, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. EST, or when 200 entries that comply with the Official Rules are received, whichever comes first.)