The American Farm Bureau Federation, in partnership with Farm Credit, is seeking entrepreneurs to apply online by June 15 for the 2025 Farm Bureau Ag Innovation Challenge. Now in its 11th year, this national business competition showcases U.S. startup companies developing innovative solutions to challenges faced by America’s farmers, ranchers, and rural communities.
The competition’s overall winner will receive $100,000 in startup funds, the runner-up will be awarded $25,000, and two additional business owners who advance to the final four rounds will receive $10,000.
“Imagine what $100,000 could do for your business,” said AFBF President Zippy Duvall. “We’ve doubled the prize and doubled the impact.”
Farm Bureau is offering a total of $145,000 in startup funds throughout the course of the competition. After the application period closes, ten semi-finalist teams will be selected and announced on Sept. 3. Next, the ten semi-finalist teams will pitch virtually to compete for a spot in the final four rounds of the contest.
The final four teams will be awarded $10,000 each and participate in a live pitch competition in front of Farm Bureau members, investors, and industry representatives at the AFBF Convention in January 2025 in San Antonio, Texas, to win:
- Farm Bureau Ag Innovation Challenge Winner, $90,000 (total of $100,000)
- Farm Bureau Ag Innovation Challenge Runner-up, $15,000 (total of $25,000)
Recent winners of the Ag Innovation Challenge include Barn Owl Precision Agriculture, a company that manufactures a fully autonomous robot that supports farmers as they plant crops, control weeds, and collect soil samples (2024 Ag Innovation Challenge Winner), and NORDEF, a company that developed technology to produce diesel exhaust fluid at the point of use (2023 Ag Innovation Challenge Winner).
To qualify as the top 10 semi-finalists, entrepreneurs must be members of a county or parish Farm Bureau within their state of residence. Applications must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time on June 15.
»Related: Farm Bureau Ag Innovation Challenge semi-finalists announced