Ag Innovation Challenge Opens: $100K for Top Entrepreneur

The American Farm Bureau Federation, in partnership with Farm Credit, is accepting online applications from entrepreneurs for the 2027 Farm Bureau Ag Innovation Challenge through June 5. Now in its 13th 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 overall winner of the competition 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 round will receive $10,000.

“Encouraging innovation is essential to keeping American agriculture strong,” said AFBF President Zippy Duvall. “If you’re building a business that can help farmers and rural communities thrive, don’t wait, apply today.”

Farm Bureau is offering a total of $145,000 in startup funds throughout the course of the competition. After the application period closes on June 5, 10 semi-finalist teams will be selected and announced on Sept. 2. Next, the 10 semi-finalist teams will pitch virtually to compete for a spot in the final four round 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 2027 in Charlotte, North Carolina, 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)

Farm Bureau is proud to recognize these innovative businesses, in partnership with sponsors Farm Credit, Bayer, John Deere, Farm Bureau Bank, Farm Bureau Financial Services, ClearPath and T-Mobile.

Recent winners of the Ag Innovation Challenge include FarmMind (2026), a company that unifies farm workflows from GIS to compliance and agronomic insights, and Gripp (2025), a company that provides an operator‑focused tool for asset tracking and team communication. Other examples of successful Ag Innovation Challenge participants, as well as detailed eligibility guidelines and the competition timeline, can be found at fb.org/challenge.

Entrepreneurs must be members of a county or parish Farm Bureau within their state of residence to qualify as top 10 semi-finalists. Applicants who are not Farm Bureau members can visit https://www.fb.org/about/get-involved to learn about becoming a member.

Applications must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time on June 5.