GROW your AgriRoots

GROW your AgriRoots

Are you a young, beginning, or small (YBS) farmer working hard to be outstanding in your field? Then you should apply for a GROW your AgriRoots award for a chance at a $10,000 prize!

Capital Farm Credit annually hosts the GROW your AgriRoots award competition for young, beginning, or small (YBS) agricultural operators. This award was created to honor outstanding farm and agribusiness owner-operators within the agricultural community, who excel in their field. Selection of winners are based on their efforts in agriculture, financial character, leadership, community involvement, participation in continuing education or training and sustainability practices.

New for 2024

Up to $50,000 in prize money awarded!

The contest will offer two separate divisions:

Award Division (Contest Criteria) - applicants must have between two and ten years of experience and must be current Capital Farm Credit members.
Grant Division (Contest Criteria) - applicants must have under two years of experience and are NOT required to be Capital Farm Credit members.

*Up to two, $10,000 prizes will be awarded in each of the divisions. Other finalists in each division will receive a $1,000 award.

Registration opens August 15, 2024. Check back soon!

All applications are due on or before September 30th.

FAQ's

How do I know if I qualify to apply for the -for the GROW your AgriRoots Award or Grant Division?

Award-All applicants must be existing or former Capital Farm Credit members and have between 2-10 years of experience in farming, ranching or operating an agribusiness.

Grant-Applicants do not have to be Capital Farm Credit members and should have less than 2 years of experience in farming, ranching or operating an agribusiness. Applicants may also be in the process of starting an ag operation within the calendar year.

All applicants for both the award and grant competitions must fit into at least one of the following categories: between 18 and 35 years of age, operate a farm with annual ag income less than $350,000, or a beginning farmer with at least one year of experience, but no more than 10 years' experience as a farmer, rancher or agribusiness owner.

Can I apply as a part-time farmer, rancher or agribusiness owner?

Yes

What is the Emerging Leaders Institute and how long does it take to complete?

Capital Farm Credit’s Emerging Leaders Institute (ELI) is an online, self-paced master class series designed to help build and strengthen business and financial acumen. A six-part series, ELI takes approximately 3-4 hours to complete. This training will support the applicant in building a business plan, balance sheet and profit and loss statement, which are all required to be submitted as a part of the application.

Award applicants are only required to take the business planning and goal setting session of ELI
Grant applicants are required to complete all sessions of ELI
Access to ELI training will be made available to each applicant once the intent form has been submitted through the online application.

How many awards will be presented?

Up to two $10,000 cash awards in each division. Up to five finalists in each division will receive $1,000 cash awards.

Are the award funds taxable?

Yes, the award money is taxable. Please consult your tax advisor for more information.

Who should be included in my application photo?

You should attach a professional photo of yourself and co-applicant, if applicable.

Is there anyone who is not eligible to apply?

See eligibility requirements above.

Anyone who does not fall into the Y, B, or S category, as defined above, is not eligible to apply.

Officers, Directors, and employees of the Sponsor, Capital Farm Credit, and their subsidiaries, affiliates, their agents, press/media representatives, and the immediate family members of these entities are not eligible to apply. Family means spouse, parents, siblings, children, mothers- and fathers-in-law, brothers- and sisters-in-law, and sons- and daughters-in-law.

Who will judge and evaluate my application?

An independent panel of qualified judges will review all applications in both Phase 1 (application) and Phase 2 (interview) of the review process.

Can I apply as a single applicant? Can I apply as a co-applicant?

Yes, you can apply as a single applicant, or you can apply with a business partner. The application should only reflect the efforts of the named applicants.

Are past winners eligible to apply?

Award Division

Winners must wait a minimum of five years before applying again. However, finalists are eligible to reapply any number of consecutive years as long as they meet other eligibility criteria.

Grant Division

Grant winners are ineligible to reapply for the Grant competition. Winners may apply for the Award division once they meet the eligibility requirements. Finalists are eligible to reapply as long they meet other eligibility criteria.

Who do I contact if I have additional questions?

Contact the Senior Vice President of Mission and YBS Lending, Allyson Tjoelker, at [email protected] or 979-822-3018 ext. 7879.

2023 GROW Your AgriRoots Winner: Blake and Stephanie Branson of Lone Star Oyster Co.