Indiana Farm Bureau’s Young Farmers & Ag Professionals program is rolling out a new award called the Rising Star, which will honor young farmers and ag professionals who are in the early stages of their agricultural and Farm Bureau careers, who are active in their community and who have demonstrated personal and professional growth.

Open to INFB voting members ages 18-30, the award is designed to honor either an outstanding individual or couple.

The new award program is the result of a suggestion by the YF&AP State Committee. This specific award is unique to INFB, said Justin Davis, INFB leadership development coordinator.

“It’s a little different from what we’re used to with the Excellence in Agriculture and Achievement awards in that this is an Indiana-only competition,” Davis explained. “There may be some states out there that do something similar, but so far this award is not recognized at the national level.”

The ideal candidate is an individual or a couple who is active in Farm Bureau, their county and their community and who may have been a leader at the Collegiate Farm Bureau level or in YF&AP.

“The Achievement Award honors a couple or individual who has been involved in agriculture and Farm Bureau for a long time and who makes most of their income from agriculture. The Excellence in Agriculture Award honors couples or individuals who are highly involved in Farm Bureau and agriculture but who do not make the majority of their income from production agriculture,” Davis said.

“This new award is for someone who’s up and coming. That’s why it’s called the Rising Star,” Davis said. “The Rising Star may be a great first award for someone who is just getting involved in Farm Bureau and looking to succeed in other award areas in the future.”

Prizes for the winner will include an expenses-paid trip to the American Farm Bureau Young Farmers & Ranchers Leadership Conference (location to be announced later), as well as a cash prize. In addition, two runners-up will each win a cash prize.

Selection will be based on a written application submitted through an online portal and then on a presentation and interview with the judges.

The deadline for applications is before midnight on May 1. For more information or to access the online portal, visit www.infb.org/YFAPAwards.