Farmers on the Rise Awards

Applicants must fit into at least one of the following categories:

• between 18 and 35 years of age
• minority operator
• veteran operator
• operate a small farm with annual gross ag income less than $250,000
• or a beginning farmer with at least two years of experience, but no more than 10 years of farming experience

An independent panel of qualified judges will review all of the written applications and select the top 20 finalists moving onto phase two of the judging process.

Each application in phase one will be evaluated based on the following criteria to achieve a score out of 200 possible points:

• Agriculture and Growth: 60 points
• Financial Character: 40 points
• Leadership & Community Involvement: 40 points
• Environmental Stewardship: 40 points
• Spelling and Grammar: 20 points
• Total: 200 points

The applicants selected as the top 20 finalists will receive an invitation to participate in an in-person interview with the judging selection committee to answer questions and give further context to their application.

All interviews will be held in person. Interviews will be no longer than 30 minutes in length and are intended for the applicant to provide additional clarification regarding their application and for the judging committee to ask questions. A formal reception will be hosted to award the winners.

During the interview process, only the named applicant(s) are permitted into the interview room. No guests will be granted access to the interview. No access to audio visual/PowerPoint/Prezi will be supported during the interview process. 

Each application in phase two will be evaluated based on the following interview selection criteria:

• Introduction: 20 points
• Ability to explain application and answer interview questions: 60 points
• Professional appearance, overall tone, eye contact, mannerism, and gestures: 20 points
• Total: 100 points

Click on the link to the application. Create a SurveyMonkey account and verify email.

Fill out the application form and attach the following required documentation:

• Completed Application
• High resolution photo (.jpg or .png)
• Letter of Recommendation - The letter must include your name, title, address, email, phone number, and not be dated before the date the application opens

Incomplete applications will not be accepted or contacted.

• Completed Application
• High-Resolution Photo in .jpg or .png
• Letter of Recommendation. The letter must include the contact’s name, title, address, email address, phone number, and relationship to the applicant and must not be dated prior to the date the application opens. Family members, Farm Credit staff, or Farm Credit directors are not eligible to write letters of recommendation.

   

Yes. Click here to check your eligibility.

All applicants must fit into at least one of the following categories: between 18 and 35 years of age, minority operator, veteran operator, operate a small farm with annual gross ag income less than $250,000, or a beginning farmer with at least two years of experience, but no more than 10 years of farming experience.

Up to ten $10,000 awards.

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

Contact Farmers on the Rise Program Administrator, Johanna Rohrer at learning@horizonfc.com or 888.339.3334 ext. 5277.

Letters of recommendation should be written on behalf of an applicant by someone who can share perspective on why you are a farmer on the rise. Family members, Farm Credit staff, or Farm Credit directors are not eligible to write letters of recommendation.

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

Officers, Directors, and employees of the Sponsor, Horizon Farm Credit, and their subsidiaries, affiliates, their agents, press/media representatives, and the immediate family members of these entities. Family means an individual and spouse and anyone having the following relationship to either: parents, spouse, son, daughter, sibling, stepparent, stepson, stepdaughter, stepbrother, stepsister, half-brother, half-sister, grandparent, grandson, granddaughter, and the spouse of the foregoing and/or those living in the same household of each, whether or nor related, are not eligible to enter.

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

All essays should be written in paragraph form, and should not include reference to any applicant or farm name that could potentially identify an applicant to a judge.

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

No, past $10,000 winners from 2021 and 2022 are not eligible to apply.