The Top Producer Next Gen Award (formerly Tomorrow’s Top Producer Horizon Award) will be given to a grower under the age of 40, who demonstrates excellence in the business of farming, including:
- Marketing
- Farm finance
- Family and employee relations
- Technology
- Environmental stewardship
Entrants are judged on entrepreneurial originality (50%), financial and business progress (30%) and industry or community leadership (20%).
Any farmer, rancher or partnership that gets at least half of their income from farming and farm-related ventures may apply.
The winner’s prizes include:
- A trip for two including hotel accommodations and a flat travel reimbursement stipend to attend the 2027 Top Producer Summit (Feb.15-17, 2027 in Nashville, TN)
- Additional prizes provided by award sponsor(s)
Deadline: Sept. 1, 2026
For questions, contact meckelkamp@farmjournal.com.
Click here to download the Next Gen Award Application
- Read about the 2026 winner, Tim Nuss, Lodi, Calif.
- Read about the 2025 winner, Dalton Dilldine, Half Moon, Ark.
- Read about the 2024 winner, Hallie Shoffner, Newport, Ark.
- Read about the 2023 winner, Trey Wasserburger, North Platte, Neb.
- Read about the 2022 winner, Brendan and Elaine Martin, Mt. Solon, Va.
- Read about the 2021 winner, Matt Splitter, Lyons, Kan.
- Read about the 2020 winner, Chase Dewitz, Steele, N.D.
- Read about the 2019 winner, Tony Schwarck of Riceville, Iowa
- Read about the 2018 winner, Maggie Holub of Scribner, Neb.
- Read about the 2017 winner, Cody Goodknight of Chattanooga, Okla.
- Read about the 2016 winner, Chris Noble of Pavilion, N.Y.
- Read about the 2015 winner, Matt Sims of State Line, Ind.
- Read about the 2014 winner, Jeremy Weaver of Needham, Ind.
- Read about the 2013 winner, Joanna Carraway of Murray, Ky.
- Read about the 2012 winner, Michael Daniels of Salem, Wis.
