Imagine, Grow, Lead at the 2026 American Farm Bureau Convention

Imagination and growth fuel farming. Farmers and ranchers survey fields, flocks, herds, and orchards, imagining the possibilities. We don’t settle for the same old, and we are always looking for ways to grow and do better for our farms and families. The same is true for our leadership journey in agriculture and in Farm Bureau. That is why the American Farm Bureau Convention is the go-to event to meet other farmers and agricultural leaders, grow and learn together, imagine a bright future, and be inspired to lead.

Imagine.

Can you imagine yourself at the 2026 AFBF Convention? I encourage you to mark your calendars and start making plans to join us in Anaheim, California, Jan. 9-14, 2026. Our theme this coming year is “Imagine. Grow. Lead.” Get ready to be inspired for 2026—this year’s convention is already shaping up to be a great time of celebrating the awesome, imaginative work Farm Bureau members do throughout the year.

Once again, we will bring our County Farm Bureaus front and center at our Trade Show, where we will highlight the County Activities of Excellence award winners. Every year, I am inspired by these innovative men and women, who imagine ways to strengthen their local Farm Bureaus and their communities, and I know you will be too. And speaking of innovation, Farm Bureau’s Ag Innovation Challenge will take center stage at the Trade Show, and the grand-prize winner will walk away with $100,000 in start-up funds to drive their business and lead agriculture forward.

Could there be some farm dogs out their dreaming of being top dog in our Farm Dog of the Year contest? The popular contest returns to celebrate the bond between farmers and farm dogs, and the winner will receive $5,000 and a year’s supply of Purina dog food. There are still a few days left to nominate your pup: the contest closes July 11.

Grow.

Growing and learning is a lifelong process, and I love how excited our Farm Bureau family gets when we come together and learn from each other, experts in the field, and inspirational leaders. At the 2026 AFBF Convention, we are excited to welcome Tim Tebow as our closing keynote speaker. Tebow is a two-time national champion, Heisman Trophy winner, College Football Hall of Fame inductee, first-round NFL draft pick and former professional baseball player. He is also a five-time New York Times best-selling author, speaker and college football analyst, but he is most passionate about his work with the Tim Tebow Foundation, with its mission to bring faith, hope and love to those needing a brighter day in their darkest hour of need. The foundation is currently fighting for some of the most vulnerable people around the world in more than 90 countries. Farmers and ranchers share that spirit of teamwork and commitment to community, and we can look forward to how Tim Tebow’s message will inspire us as we prepare to grow and lead in the coming year.

Beyond our general session hall, we have a full lineup of engaging workshops, offered in four tracks—public policy, rural development, member engagement and consumer engagement. These workshops will help you take your leadership to the next level, inspire ideas for member development, and offer the latest insights on policy and consumer trends. Plus, you can expect some inspiring programming at our Cultivation Center Stage and Ag Insights Hub on the Trade Show floor again this year.

Lead.

Leadership doesn’t just happen, it’s cultivated. Investing in the future is a cornerstone of Farm Bureau, and we are committed to empowering young leaders to bring their ideas to the table and play a role in driving agriculture forward. The future of Farm Bureau and agriculture is only as strong as the leaders we prepare today. That’s why we are excited to host a special event this year, the Empowering Young Leaders Reception. This reception will be a chance to celebrate young members and highlight the importance of their leadership. All registered convention attendees 35 and younger are welcome to join us for an evening of fellowship, food, and fun on Sunday, Jan. 11.

Our 2026 AFBF Convention will also feature the popular, high-stakes Young Farmers & Ranchers competitive events, including: the Achievement Award, the Excellence in Agriculture Award and the Discussion Meet. Through these events and leadership development programs, we are empowering and investing in our young Farm Bureau leaders to ensure they’re ready to take the reins and continue to lead tomorrow.

Are you getting excited yet—imagining the possibilities for growing and leading as we come together for our next convention? While we’re still a few months out, you can stay tuned for more announcements and details leading up to the 2026 American Farm Bureau Convention. In the meantime, mark your calendars for Jan. 9-14, 2026. I hope to see you in Anaheim!