Nominations for 2025 Groundbreaker of the Year
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Nora Nolden, Sr. Communications Consultant
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (651) 245-6804
Nominate a Trailblazing Farmer for the GroundBreaker of the
Year Award
Award celebrates young, beginning or small farmers making a difference
Sun Prairie, Wis., (June 4, 2024) – Do you know a young, beginning or small farmer with a passion for agriculture who is making a real difference in their community? Compeer Financial is now accepting nominations for the 2025 GroundBreaker or the Year Award through August 30, 2024.
Every year, Compeer celebrates young, beginning and small farmers for their outstanding contributions. We recognize the value they bring to agriculture and aim to support their dedication and hard work.
The grand prize winner will receive a $5,000 cash award and can direct a one-time charitable gift of $2,500 to an organization of their choice through the Compeer Financial Fund for Rural America. Additionally, two honorable mentions will each receive a $2,500 cash award.
Eligibility and Selection
To qualify, nominees must be actively farming in Illinois, Minnesota or Wisconsin and meet at least one of the following criteria:
- Age 35 or younger at the time of application
- Under 10 years of farming or ranching experience
- Generate less than $350,000 in annual gross sales for 2023
Nominate Today
Anyone from Illinois, Minnesota or Wisconsin can nominate a candidate, including family, friends, colleagues or partners. Farmers can also nominate themselves.
We are looking for stories with heart and examples of passion and perseverance. The selection committee evaluates nominees based on agricultural leadership, community involvement and dedication to the industry.
Want to know what makes a great submission? Check out past winners to hear their stories.
Winner Recognition
Winners will be announced at Compeer Financial’s GroundBreakers Conference in February 2025. Beyond cash prizes, winners will share their stories and be featured in a video.
Supporting farmers means supporting rural communities. Help us recognize and support the groundbreaking work of young, beginning and small farmers by submitting a nomination today.
For more information and to submit a nomination, visit compeer.com/groundbreakeroftheyear.
About Compeer Financial
Compeer Financial is a member-owned Farm Credit cooperative serving and supporting agriculture and rural communities. The $32.3 billion organization provides loans, leases, risk management and other financial services throughout 144 counties in Illinois, Minnesota and Wisconsin. Based in the Upper Midwest, Compeer Financial exists to champion the hopes and dreams of rural America, while providing personalized service and expertise to clients and the agriculture industry.
Compeer Financial is the third largest cooperative of the Farm Credit System, a nationwide network of lending institutions supporting agriculture and rural communities with reliable, consistent credit and financial services. Learn more about Compeer Financial.
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