Creating an Innovative Farm Business? Check Out the "Challenge"!
The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF), in partnership with Farm Credit, is accepting applications for the 2022 Farm Bureau Ag Innovation Challenge.
Now in their eighth year, Farm Bureau and Farm Credit, are looking to identify ten entrepreneurs who are creating innovative solutions that address the needs of American farmers, ranchers, and rural communities.
Farm Bureau will award $165,000 in startup funds to ten businesses, culminating at a live pitch competition and networking event at the AFBF Annual Convention in January 2022 in Atlanta, GA. The Ag Innovation Challenge Winner will be awarded $50,000 total in prize money. The Ag Innovation Challenge Runner-Up will win $20,000 and the People’s Choice Team will receive an additional $5,000 in funds. The startup funds are provided by sponsors Farm Credit, Bayer Crop Science, John Deere, Farm Bureau Bank, Farm Bureau Financial Services, and FMC Corporation.
The ten semi-finalist businesses selected to compete at the 2022 AFBF Annual Convention will be announced and listed on fb.org/challenge on October 5, 2021. The teams will participate in two rounds of competition with a live audience and panel of judges for the titles of Ag Innovation Challenge Winner, Ag Innovation Challenge Runner-Up, and People’s Choice Team.
For any Ag Innovation Challenge-related questions or more information, please contact Sarah Brown, Executive Director of Industry Relations, or Emma Larson, Assistant Director of Industry Relations.
For public-facing inquiries, please contact Ag Innovation.
Farm Bureau will award $165,000 to ten businesses:
- $50,000 will be awarded to the 2022 Ag Innovation Challenge Winner
- $20,000 will be awarded to the 2022 Ag Innovation Challenge Runner-Up
- $15,000 will be awarded to two finalist teams
- $10,000 will be awarded to six semi-finalist teams
- Additional $5,000 to the People's Choice Team (chosen by public vote; all ten teams are eligible)