There’s more than one way to be involved in agriculture. That’s why Indiana Farm Bureau recognizes its outstanding younger members in more than one way. Meet the 2025 winners of INFB’s Excellence in Agriculture, Achievement and Rising Star awardees.
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Megan Espinda, Henry County, Excellence in Agriculture Award
Espinda grew up on a family farm in Henry County, but she is now an agricultural liaison for the Indiana Department of Environmental Management. She attended the University of Findlay in Ohio, where she majored in both animal science and biology, and she also has a master’s degree in agribusiness from Kansas State University.
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Brock and Laura Kiesler, Floyd and Washington counties, Achievement Award
After graduating from Indiana University Southeast with a degree in business management, Brock took over his grandfather’s Floyd County farm and started adding more acres and more cattle.
Laura was raised on a cow/calf operation in Washington County. She attended Indiana University Southeast as well, majoring in education. She is now a fifth-grade math and science teacher at East Washington Middle School.
The couple continues to operate Brock’s Floyd County farm while residing on Laura’s family farm. They have recently added a small direct-to-consumer pork business.
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Cody and Samantha Otten, Tippecanoe County, Rising Star Award
After working at a CAT dealership, Cody pursued his dream of farming and, with Samantha, established a corn and soybean operation. They are currently working on an active succession plan to acquire additional farmland. Cody also owns Red Dirt Excavation LLC. Samantha is a Purdue University graduate with a degree in agricultural economics, and she works as an ag and commercial loan officer.
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Awarding Agriculturalists
Excellence in Agriculture Award
This award honors members ages 18 to 35 who do not derive the majority of their income from a farming operation but who actively contribute to Farm Bureau, agriculture and their community. Prizes for 2025 are $8,000 courtesy of Farm Credit Mid-America, $3,000 courtesy of Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance and an all-expenses-paid trip to Anaheim, California, where Espinda placed third in the national competition at the 2026 American Farm Bureau Federation convention.
Achievement Award
Recognition given to young farmers ages 18 to 35 who derive the majority of their income from a farming operation on the basis of their leadership involvement and farm management techniques. The 2025 winners receive $6,000 courtesy of Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance, $5,000 courtesy of Indiana Farm Bureau Inc. and an all-expenses-paid trip to compete at the AFBF convention. In addition, they receive the David L. Leising Memorial Award.
Rising Star Award
The Rising Star honors outstanding members ages 18 to 30 who are active in Farm Bureau and display personal and professional growth. Among the prizes are $2,000 and an all-expenses-paid trip to Portland, Oregon, for the 2026 AFBF Young Farmers & Ranchers Leadership Conference in March.
To learn more about YF&AP and its awards programs, visit infb.org/yfap.
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