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Each year, Indiana Farm Bureau honors young farmers and agricultural professionals ages 18-35 who have demonstrated leadership and a commitment to farming and Farm Bureau.

Three award winners have been selected this year and will be recognized at INFB’s Indiana Ag Gathering on Dec. 12 and 13 in French Lick, Indiana.

Megan Espinda, Henry County: Excellence in Agriculture Award

Megan Espinda grew up on a sixth-generation family farm in Henry County and her agriculture journey began by working with local dairies to develop business plans for their transition from traditional milking to organic production.

She now applies her education and experience to her role as agricultural liaison for the Indiana Department of Environmental Management, where she serves as a bridge between farmers and regulators, ensuring that policies are fair, practical and supportive of the long-term viability of agriculture.

Espinda will receive an $8,000 cash prize courtesy of Farm Credit Mid-America, a $3,000 cash prize courtesy of Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance and an all-expenses-paid trip to Anaheim, California, to compete at the 2026 American Farm Bureau convention in January.

Brock and Laura Kiesler, Floyd and Washington counties: Achievement Award

Brock grew up next to his grandfather’s small, diversified operation in Floyd County, which included hay and cattle. After graduating from college, he took over the farm and started adding more acres, row crops and cattle. Laura was raised on a cow/calf operation in Washington County and her family also raised chickens.

The two met at the 2018 INFB Young Farmers & Ag Professionals Conference. They live on Laura’s family farm in Salem and have recently added a small direct-to-consumer pork business, in addition to Brock’s operation in Floyd County.

The Kieslers are leaders not just within their county Farm Bureaus but on the state and national level as well. Laura serves as the YF&AP chair for Washington County Farm Bureau.

The Kieslers will receive a $6,000 cash prize courtesy of Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance, a $5,000 cash prize courtesy of INFB and an all-expenses-paid trip to compete at the 2026 American Farm Bureau convention in Anaheim in January. The Kieslers also will be awarded the David L. Leising Memorial Award.

Cody and Samantha Otten, Tippecanoe County: Rising Star Award

Cody and Samantha Otten grew up in agriculture and have been committed to it from a young age. Both were actively involved in 4-H and FFA – in fact, the two met during a 4-H goat project.

After working at a CAT dealership, Cody decided to go after his dream of farming, and, with Samantha, established Otten Family Farms, where they raise corn and soybeans. They are currently working on an active succession plan with another couple in Tippecanoe County to acquire additional farmland.

The Ottens serve as the YF&AP chairs for Tippecanoe County Farm Bureau, where they have doubled membership engagement over the past two years. They are also on the county Farm Bureau fair planning and annual meeting committees.

As part of this award, the Ottens will receive a $2,000 cash prize and an all-expenses-paid trip to Portland, Oregon, for the 2026 Farm Bureau Young Farmers & Ranchers Leadership Conference.