Neighbors Helping Neighbors: Farm Bureau’s Harvest for All Makes a Difference

Farm and ranch families from across the nation donated 50 million pounds of food and raised more than $870,000 to help fight hunger and assist in other community service outreach in 2025 through Farm Bureau’s “Harvest for All” program. Combined, the monetary and food donations totaled the equivalent of 13 million meals.

Criteria for tracking Harvest for All donations included dollars and pounds of food donated by state and county Farm Bureaus, as well as volunteer hours, reported from the grassroots up as part of the annual campaign.

The spirit of farm communities has always been one of working together and giving back. Now in its 24th year, Harvest for All is spearheaded by members of Farm Bureau’s Young Farmers & Ranchers program, but members of all ages from across the nation contribute to the effort. Their participation helps ensure Americans who are facing food insecurity can enjoy the bounty of food farmers and ranchers produce.

In addition to raising food and funds, farmers and ranchers tallied nearly 20,000 hours for local food insecurity efforts and other community service.

“For the past two decades, young farmers and ranchers have worked with Farm Bureau members across the country to ensure our neighbors have the food they need through the Harvest for All campaign,” said Tommy Salisbury of Oklahoma, chair of AFBF’s YF&R Committee. “We’re proud to continue helping address hunger and put food on the table in communities nationwide.”

Florida Farm Bureau earned top honors after donating more than 28 million pounds of food. Working with the Feeding Florida network and its nine member food banks, the organization supported volunteer and donation efforts tied to the Farmers Feeding Florida recovery initiative. Additionally, attendees at the Florida Young Farmers & Ranchers Leadership Conference packed more than 6,400 meals for families in need.

Illinois Farm Bureau tallied the most volunteer hours, nearly 15,000. Members supported first-year agriculture teachers by packing and distributing classroom supply bags filled with practical, ready-to-use classroom and FFA contest materials.

Michigan Farm Bureau took top honors for raising the most funds, nearly $600,000. A variety of fundraising activities, supported by the Michigan Farm Bureau family of companies, contributed to the total.

“These numbers demonstrate that farmers show up for their communities no matter how difficult the farm economy and their own finances have become,” said AFBF President Zippy Duvall. “Their continued generosity in challenging times underscores just how deeply they value supporting their neighbors and local communities.”

Continuing sponsor Nationwide provided each state winner with a $500 grant for donation to a local food bank of their choice or for another Harvest for All project.

Second-place winners were New York Farm Bureau for more than 20 million pounds of food donated, Michigan Farm Bureau for 2,848 hours of donated volunteer time and Illinois Farm Bureau for $233,000 in donated funds. Each of the second-place winners received a $250 grant from Nationwide to donate to the local food bank of their choice.

Most Innovative Winners

In addition, three state Farm Bureaus received $250 grants from Nationwide for “most innovative” programs. Winners and brief program descriptions are listed below.

Alabama Young Farmers partnered with Children’s Hospital to meet a critical need for families facing extended hospital stays: basic hygiene supplies. Using a statewide online registry based on the hospital’s needs list, volunteers donated items that were shipped and sorted ahead of the Alabama Youth Leadership Conference. During the event, 96 students and volunteers assembled more than 11,000 hygiene kits in 75 minutes. The kits are distributed by hospital care teams, and the effort continues through the ALFA Cares Closet, supported by a $30,000 foundation gift to provide ongoing essentials for families.

Illinois Young Leaders and Collegiate Farm Bureau members showcased innovation and service through community, farmer and educator support projects. At Southern Illinois University, the Collegiate Farm Bureau hosted “Agriculture in the Plaza,” featuring a tractor display, hands‑on learning and a “fill the bucket” food drive. In response to Hurricane Helene, Young Leader Committees from five counties organized a Hay Donation Drive, sending seven semi loads of hay to livestock producers in western North Carolina. The State Young Leader Committee also assembled and delivered classroom supply bags for first‑year agriculture teachers, providing essential materials for FFA activities and strengthening connections between educators and Farm Bureau.

Texas Young Farmers & Ranchers launched the Farmers Feeding Families program to help address statewide hunger by meeting a key food bank need: protein. After learning that meat is the most scarce item, the program mobilized county Farm Bureaus to donate livestock, volunteer, contribute funds and provide additional food items. Members donated nearly 13 tons of protein and 4 tons of other food items. Texas Farm Bureau reimburses counties for processing costs, making it easier to supply locally raised beef, pork, lamb and other proteins to food banks and shelters.

The awards were presented during AFBF’s Young Farmers & Ranchers Leadership Conference, held March 13-16 in Portland, Oregon.

Since Harvest for All was launched, Farm Bureau families have gathered 523 million pounds of food, logged nearly 279,000 volunteer hours and raised $13 million in donations. In 2023, AFBF earned a prestigious Power of Associations Summit Award from the American Society of Association Executives in recognition of Harvest for All’s success in addressing hunger in rural America over the past 20-plus years.

Other Service Projects and Donations

Farm Bureau members participating in Harvest for All raised $119,550 for other service projects/donations in 2025, in addition to donating $40,000 of non-food goods.