Almost since its beginning, Indiana Farm Bureau has provided special opportunities to encourage and develop the next generation of agricultural leaders.
Now called Young Farmers & Ag Professionals (YF&AP), this program for INFB members between the ages of 18 and 35 offers leadership development, competitions and networking opportunities.
Among the ways INFB supports younger members is through a series of awards. This year’s YF&AP honorees will be recognized at INFB’s annual convention, slated for Dec. 12 through 14 in French Lick, Indiana.
“The YF&AP awards recognize and celebrate the hard work and achievements of INFB members who are involved in agriculture,” says Justin Davis, former INFB leadership development coordinator. “This provides motivation and encouragement for future members. By recognizing outstanding members, the ultimate goal is to strengthen the agricultural community as a whole.”
Below are short introductions to this year’s winners.
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Agriculture Achievement
Cory and Emily Studebaker of Whitley County won the Achievement Award, which recognizes outstanding young Farm Bureau members who derive the majority of their income from a farming operation and whose farm management techniques and commitment to their communities set a positive example for others involved in agriculture.
The couple farms with Cory’s father, raising row crops and dairy cows. They also own their own farm, which includes a 24,000-head commercial laying hen operation contracted through Herbruck’s Poultry Ranch, an egg production company based in Michigan.
For winning the Achievement Award, the Studebakers receive a $6,000 cash prize courtesy of Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance, a $5,000 cash prize courtesy of additional sponsors and an all-expenses-paid trip to compete at the American Farm Bureau Federation convention in San Antonio, Texas, in January 2025. They also receive the David L. Leising Memorial Award.
Excellence in Agriculture
Perry County farmers Isaac and Kyla Schroeder are the winners of the Excellence in Agriculture Award, which honors Farm Bureau members who do not derive the majority of their income from a farming operation but who actively contribute and grow their involvement in Farm Bureau, the agriculture industry and other community organizations.
As owners and operators of a registered Angus cattle herd, the Schroeders divide their time and energy between their farm, which also includes a hay operation, and full-time jobs in the community. Isaac is a division agronomist for Superior Ag, where he works with the sales team to implement trainings and conducts grower consultations, as well as field research and agronomy problem analysis. Kyla works for Tempo Global Resources, an aluminum supply chain company.
The Schroeders’ prize package includes an $8,000 cash prize courtesy of Farm Credit Mid-America, a $3,000 cash prize courtesy of Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance and an all-expenses-paid trip to the AFBF convention in January 2025.
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Rising Star
Jayden Simpson of Putnam County won the Rising Star Award, which honors outstanding members who are active in Farm Bureau, their county, their community, Collegiate Farm Bureau or YF&AP programs, and who display personal and professional growth by participating in those activities.
Simpson grew up on his family’s fourth-generation Hereford show cattle operation, where they raise cattle and show them across the country. Now a junior at Purdue University majoring in agricultural economics with a concentration in policy and pre-law, Simpson is involved in Purdue Collegiate Farm Bureau where he currently serves as chapter president. He also acted as the collegiate representative for the INFB state resolutions committee, helping to review policy recommendations submitted by county Farm Bureaus.
Simpson receives a $2,000 cash prize and an all-expenses-paid trip to Denver, Colorado, for the 2025 Farm Bureau FUSION Conference.
To find out more about YF&AP or its awards programs, visit infb.org/yfap.
