Young agricultural leaders across the Midwest have an opportunity to turn innovative ideas into real-world projects, with Farm Credit Mid-America offering $17,500 to youth organizations working to strengthen agriculture and rural communities.
The agricultural lender is accepting applications for its new Youth in Ag Innovation Program through Dec. 1, 2026. The initiative will award funding to three youth-led organizations to develop and implement projects focused on agricultural innovation, food production, sustainability and conservation, and emerging agricultural technologies.
“Some of the best ideas for the future of agriculture may come from the young people who will help lead it,” said Hannah Walker, community investment manager at Farm Credit Mid-America. “Through the Youth in Ag Innovation Program, we want to give young people the opportunity and resources to take an idea, put it into action and make a difference in agriculture and their communities.”
The program is designed to help young people move beyond identifying challenges and take the next step toward developing practical solutions. Projects should address opportunities to improve agricultural practices, strengthen food production or access, advance conservation efforts, or apply technology to agriculture and its supporting systems.
Three projects to receive funding
Farm Credit Mid-America will distribute $17,500 across three awards, with the largest grant going to the project judged to have the greatest overall merit.
The Top Project Award will provide $10,000, followed by a $5,000 Excellence Award and a $2,500 Impact Award. All funding must be used to implement the projects outlined in the applications.
Eligible applicants must be youth-led groups affiliated with an established organization, including 4-H clubs, FFA chapters, school-based science or agriculture clubs, and other recognized youth-serving organizations. Participants are recommended to be between the ages of 12 and 18 and must work with an identified adult advisor or sponsor.
Youth involvement must extend throughout the project, from initial development and planning to implementation and evaluation. Applications should outline specific goals, measurable outcomes and a basic timeline while explaining how the proposed work could benefit agriculture, youth development or the broader community.
Projects that build partnerships, engage local communities and develop rural leadership skills are encouraged.
Youth leadership and measurable impact are priorities
Applications will be evaluated on the originality of the idea, the likelihood of successful implementation, the potential benefit to agriculture or the community, the depth of youth leadership and involvement, and the overall quality and completeness of the application.
The selection process also gives young leaders an opportunity to present their ideas directly to agricultural stakeholders.
Three finalists will be selected from eligible applications and invited to present their projects at Farm Credit Mid-America’s February 2027 Advocate Council Meeting. Customers attending the meeting will vote to determine the final award placements.
The recipient of the Top Project Award will also be invited to the following year’s meeting to share the results and impact of the completed project, providing an opportunity to demonstrate how the initial investment translated into tangible outcomes.
For youth organizations, the program offers more than financial support. It provides a chance to develop leadership skills, build community partnerships and put creative solutions to agricultural challenges into practice.
Applications must be submitted by Dec. 1, 2026. Eligibility requirements, program details and application materials are available through Farm Credit Mid-America’s Youth in Ag Innovation Program at fcma.com.
