By Lilly Stewart

Through its annual County Activities of Excellence Awards, the American Farm Bureau Federation celebrates county Farm Bureaus for their unique, volunteer-driven programming. The county featured here was recognized for their leadership development program.

The Lincoln County (Tennessee) Farm Bureau Student Advisory Board for high school students, initially launched as a four-month pilot program in 2024, holds meetings, participates in Farm Bureau events, learns about the organization and career opportunities in agriculture and more. The project has blossomed into an annual program and is beginning to yield young farmers and ranchers for the organization.

County Activities of Excellence

Applications are now open for the 2025 County Activities of Excellence. Up to 24 counties will display their winning activities at the 2026 American Farm Bureau Convention in Anaheim, California, in January. County award winners receive up to four free registrations to the Annual Convention (cost of travel and housing not included) and a $4,500 stipend to apply toward the cost of travel and exhibition.

Lilly Stewart is a summer 2025 intern in the American Farm Bureau Federation’s Communications and Executive departments. She is a rising senior in agricultural business at the University of Wyoming.

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“Earthworms make me happy,” Ryan Britt says as he turns over a handful of dark soil. “You see that?” He points to an earthworm before returning it safely to a field of cover crops. “It didn’t look like this 20 years ago.” Twenty years ago, Ryan and his dad set out to restore the health of the soil on their family farm with regenerative agriculture practices. It’s a journey that continues today.

Starting the Soil Health Journey

Ryan Britt knows that farming is a marathon, not a sprint. His family has been farming in north-central Missouri since 1865. Today, the rolling green hills of Britt Farms stretch out for miles. While the farm has changed and grown over the years, the family’s commitment to caring for the land has remained steady.

“Our farm has worked through the years to focus on regenerative agriculture,” Ryan says, noting there are a variety of buzzwords when it comes to farm practices, such as conservation or sustainability. “For us, it’s about more than sustainability,” he explains. “I can be sustained on bread and water alone, but I sure feel a lot better when I have some steak,” Ryan adds with a chuckle. “To improve and to grow, we need more nourishment. It’s the same with our farmland. We want to improve it for the next generation.”

Ryan knew from the time he was 6 years old that he wanted to be a farmer. Other than his time away at college, Ryan has been on his family’s farm his whole life. He credits his time at the University of Missouri as critical in learning new practices to bring back to the farm.

“I came back from college eager to try some things, and my dad, to his credit, was very open,” Ryan says. They began by experimenting with no-till. They knew it wasn’t going to be an easy undertaking, given the variety of soil types across their farm, which spreads over 5,000 acres in three counties. The soil across the farm ranges from tight to sandy to loose clay, and some of their soil is prone to natural erosion.

Climate and weather can also vary across the farm. A sunny day can shift to rain and thunderstorms a few miles up or down the road. “The weather in Missouri can change multiple times a day even,” Ryan explains pointing to the threatening spring clouds overhead, which have put their planting on hold for the day.

Farmers like Ryan face the uncertainties of weather every day, but they don’t shy away from a challenge. Ryan was eager to apply what he had learned in his studies and from his work with USDA’s Agricultural Research Service in college to help his family farm become more resilient in the face of varying climate and soil types.

The Resilience of Regenerative Agriculture

Ryan and his dad soon found consistent success with the no-till system in the fields where they applied the new practice. A big test of their no-till fields came in 2012 when much of their farm was hit with a major drought. “It was the driest year we had ever seen,” Ryan recalls. Although their yields took a hit and they saw an overall loss, they still produced some corn on their no-till fields that year, even when neighboring farms didn’t see any yields. This proved to be a turning point when it came to conservation tillage at Britt Farms, and today, they are 100% no-till, in addition to a variety of other regenerative practices that work hand-in-hand to promote soil health on the farm.

But it’s not one practice alone that promotes healthy soil. Not long after the Britts had begun transitioning to no-till, Ryan learned about another regenerative practice: cover cropping. After joining his local Conservation District, Ryan had the opportunity to watch a soil health demonstration conducted by Ray Archuleta, a soil scientist and agronomist with USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service. Ryan and his dad decided to give it a try. They assessed their fields and adjusted their crop rotation to join a pilot project for planting cover crops. Although there was a learning curve with the new practice, it didn’t take long for them to see the benefits.

“I think what makes no-till really work well is the cover crops,” Ryan says, explaining how these practices work together to mitigate weather impacts on the farm. In drought years, the no-till fields that had been rotated with cover crops proved more resilient, producing roughly 80% of a crop in the challenging conditions. Only a few years after the 2012 drought, Britt Farms had transitioned to 100% cover crops on their fields.

The Role of Cattle in Regenerative Agriculture

In addition to growing corn, soybeans, wheat and hay, Ryan Britt also raises cattle. Ryan believes that the 1,300 cattle they raise — and graze — have played a key role in his farm’s regenerative practices. “Rotational grazing, that’s how we can do no-till and cover crops,” he says. “We've seen larger gains in our soil health journey by integrating livestock, letting them graze the land, and bring the nutrients back to the land.”

Anecdotally, Ryan has seen the highest yields from the fields where his cattle have grazed. Scientific research backs up his observations. As cattle eat grass pulling it up by the roots, root growth is stimulated, thus creating a healthier root system below the ground. Researchers have found that healthy, rotationally grazed pastures are better at sequestering carbon than land left untouched. In addition to feeding on grass, cattle are then spreading nutrients naturally to further promote soil health. “On our farm’s regenerative journey, livestock are really making the biggest gains,” Ryan says.

Critical Tools for Regenerative Agriculture

When it comes to regenerative agriculture, Ryan Britt believes it’s important for farmers to have every tool available to protect crop and soil health. Walking by an alfalfa field, he stops and points to where the leaves are turning brown. “You see that? We’ve got bugs chewing up our alfalfa.” Ryan explains that since it’s too wet to harvest that week, he needs to spray the fields with an insecticide or risk losing the whole crop.

“Every acre on every farm is different,” Ryan says. “We need to have those tools — whether it’s a pesticide, insecticide or herbicide — available to make sure that we're not going backwards.” Without pesticides, Ryan would have to return to tilling his soil, turning it over with every crop, likely losing topsoil — and those beloved earthworms.

As committed as Ryan Britt is to soil health, his family’s health is his top priority. That’s why he relies on scientific studies and research, such as from land-grant universities, to ensure the safety of the products and practices he is using on his farm. Ryan and his wife built their home on the farm, and he can see his mom and dad’s house, where he grew up, from his front porch. Their family’s lake house sits on the edge of their farm, overlooking the Thomas Hill Reservoir.

Clean Water and Healthy Soil on and off the Farm

For the Britt family, the farm is their livelihood and their life. The health and safety of his family — the air they breathe, the water they drink, and the food they eat — is at the forefront of Ryan’s mind with every decision he makes on the farm. “The nutrients and pesticides we use on our farm are very important to us. It’s important for me because my family is consuming the same food we are growing and raising here.”

Keeping the water on and around the farm clean is a top priority for Britt Farms. Fencing around the farm ensures the cattle stay out of nearby streams when they are grazing. When the cattle enter the feedlot on the farm, animal health and water quality continue to be top priorities. The feedlot is designed to prevent any runoff, while keeping the animals safe and comfortable.

When it comes to keeping nutrients in the fields and out of nearby waterways, Ryan has added features to provide extra layers of protection, such as terracing, which involves grading the land to slow runoff on sloping fields, and field buffers, which are achieved by planting vegetation along waterways.

Always Looking to Do Better by the Land

Not every acre on Britt Farms is in production. Ryan has set aside some acres in the Conservation Reserve Program to grow wild grasses and wildflowers, providing a pollinator habitat on the farm. The farm also has a wetland set aside as a wildlife habitat. Ryan says these practices are all part of their approach to “give the land the opportunity to maintain itself and improve.” He says ultimately, this is all about “setting that land up so that the next generation can also be successful.”

To Ryan Britt, this effort is never done. Regenerative agriculture, to him, is about always finding ways to improve and do better. He takes caring for every acre of his land seriously.

“There can be a misconception that regenerative agriculture doesn’t fit a big operation, but I don't think that's fair,” Ryan observes. “The average family farm is a little bigger than it used to be, but we have the tools and technology to meet the growing needs of our country and world.”

With each crop and each season, Ryan Britt is always looking for ways to do better for the land, for his family and for families across the country. “I think it’s a farmer’s natural instinct to want to do better,” Ryan says. “We always are looking for how we can improve the land, leaving it better than we found it for the next generation.”

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By Lilly Stewart

Through its annual County Activities of Excellence Awards, the American Farm Bureau Federation celebrates county Farm Bureaus for their unique, volunteer-driven programming. The following counties were recognized for their programs and activities in 2023 and 2024. The programs featured here focused on safety.

Manure Pit Safety and Rescue Training

Crawford, Marion, Morrow and Richland County (Ohio) Farm Bureaus partnered to bring a nationally recognized manure pit safety simulator in for four training sessions for first responders and farmers to help keep ag workers and their families safe. The free training featured a one-of-a-kind manure pit rescue simulator which gave participants the opportunity to work through different scenarios in various roles. A trained and experienced industry professional provided instruction on the procedures for safely entering a manure pit to perform rescue operations in low-oxygen situations. More than 150 people from 30 fire departments received the specialized training.

Dekalb County Farm Bureau Teaches Elementary Students Grain Bin and Chemical Safety

Dekalb County (Missouri) Farm Bureau participated in an elementary school’s field day to teach over 250 kids from kindergarten to sixth grade about chemical and grain bin safety.

The county Farm Bureau used a Farm Bureau-provided grain bin model as a visual representation of the dangers that come with grain bins. They also had an activity where the students guess if the fluid in the bottle was a popular drink or a chemical that could be dangerous to consume.

Laurel County Farm Bureau Ensures Fire Department has Grain Bin Rescue Equipment

Laurel County (Kentucky) Farm Bureau worked with the local fire department to better equip the department for grain bin rescues. On top of researching high-quality and reliable equipment, Laurel County Farm Bureau worked with the fire department to enhance rescue training and find funding to support the equipment upgrades, meeting a significant need in the community by supplying the only grain rescue equipment within a 200-mile radius.

County Activities of Excellence

Applications are now open for the 2025 County Activities of Excellence. Up to 24 counties will display their winning activities at the 2026 American Farm Bureau Convention in Anaheim, California, in January. County award winners receive up to four free registrations to the Annual Convention (cost of travel and housing not included) and a $4,500 stipend to apply toward the cost of travel and exhibition.

Lilly Stewart is a summer 2025 intern in the American Farm Bureau Federation’s Communications and Executive departments. She is a rising senior in agricultural business at the University of Wyoming.

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Members of the Ohio State University Collegiate Farm Bureau this spring traveled to a Columbus elementary school classroom to share “Tales of the Dairy Godmother: Chuck’s Ice Cream Wish” with first graders who eagerly ate up all the college students had to share about dairy farming.

The engaged first graders actively listened as the book was read and asked several questions. One even declared his intention to become a farmer. The Ohio State students rewarded their eager learners and future farmers with ice cream, bringing the book – and a bit of agriculture – full circle for the young students.

The Ohio State University Collegiate Farm Bureau expects their impact on the first graders to go well beyond the few hours they spent with them. Not only will the children have made that farm to fork (or ice cream cone) connection in the classroom, they and 11 other Columbus first grade classrooms will each get two kits that include materials that can be used year after year. The kits include a copy of “Tales of the Dairy Godmother: Chuck’s Ice Cream Wish” and a related educator’s guide, 30 ag mags, a reusable activity and a resources folder that contains QR codes and links to all the materials online.

There were lessons for the collegiate Farm Bureau members, too. Those who participated learned that agricultural advocacy takes many forms and is as just as important and effective in the classroom as it is in the state capitol or Washington, D.C.

The endeavor also elevated the collegiate Farm Bureau in the eyes of students who would have previously described it as an “ag club.” By engaging with the young Columbus students, they showed they’re an active organization having an impact in the community while advocating for agriculture.

Collegiate Farm Bureau Mini-Grant Program

To help fund the classroom visit and the 24 kits they provided to 12 first grade classrooms in Columbus, the Ohio State University Collegiate Farm Bureau applied for a mini-grant offered by the American Farm Bureau Federation’s Young Farmers & Ranchers program. This grant provides $500 to Collegiate Farm Bureau chapters for activities such as recruitment, leadership development, community service, officer training, educational materials or conference registrations.

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By Jaiden Cain

The Delaware Farm Bureau, in partnership with the Delaware Department of Agriculture, has launched a new mental health awareness initiative aimed at supporting the well-being of the agricultural community. As part of the campaign, stickers featuring the national suicide and crisis hotline number, 988, have been produced for placement in tractor cabs, farm offices and other highly visible areas. The goal is to remind farmers and rural residents that “it’s okay to not be okay,” and that help is always available.

The stickers are free and available to anyone who would like to distribute or display them. DEFB and DDA are encouraging agricultural businesses, equipment dealerships and service providers to make these stickers accessible to their customers and networks.

“Delaware’s farm families work tirelessly to feed our communities and care for our land. Yet many carry burdens beyond reaping the harvest. Fluctuating markets, unpredictable weather and rising costs take a profound toll on their mental well-being,” said Delaware Secretary of Agriculture Don Clifton. “Amid all the uncertainties related to farming, I hope we have reached a point as a community where we make this a certainty, we are determined to meet our shared responsibility to ensure that those who feed us have mental health resources and support available to them. Let us cultivate a culture where seeking help is a sign of strength and every struggling farmer knows that they are not alone.”

The stressors associated with farming, including long hours, isolation, and high operational costs, can take a serious toll on mental health. In response, the American Farm Bureau Federation created the Farm State of Mind campaign, a nationwide effort to reduce stigma, raise awareness, and provide vital mental health resources to farmers and ranchers. The campaign includes helpful tips and tools for those who are struggling, as well as guidance for those supporting someone in need. These resources can be accessed at www.fb.org/initiative/farm-state-of-mind.

Steve Breeding, DEFB first vice president and Sussex County Farm Bureau president, is currently serving on the AFBF Promotion and Engagement Committee where he has worked to help promote mental health awareness nationwide.

“After going through a time when my own mental health was at its lowest, I know how hard it can be to admit you need help, and even harder to actually ask for it,” said Breeding. “Seeing the Farm State of Mind 988 flyer and making that call was the best decision of my life. I hope these stickers help someone else make that same life-changing decision.”

For those in Delaware looking for more information or to request stickers, contact alexis.langenfelder@defb.org or call the Delaware Farm Bureau office at 302-697-3183.

Jaiden Cain is the membership & outreach coordinator for Delaware Farm Bureau.

Editor’s note: A similar program launched by Sumter County Farm Bureau in Florida inspired Delaware Farm Bureau to partner with the state Department of Agriculture to make the stickers available.

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By Cleveland Jackson

Reflecting on their Farm Bureau involvement, Dustin and Harmony Cox, former American Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmers and Ranchers Committee members, say it’s the relationships that fueled their passion and provided a lasting impact.

The Cox family, from Alton, Utah, seemingly never sleeps. Between activities for their six girls – yes, you read that right, six girls, a farm-to-table distribution business, first-generation cattle ranch, hay brokerage business, Airbnb home rental and cowboy destination experiences, they have a lot going on but are quick to point out Farm Bureau’s impact on their lives.

In a scenario not uncommon in Farm Bureau, Dustin and Harmony went unassumingly to their first local meeting and walked out as county YF&R chairs. In fact, Dustin attributes their success in Farm Bureau to the day their county placed them in that role. County service quickly led to a two-year term as Utah YF&R chairs and then on to the national committee, where Harmony served as secretary and as a member of the Discussion Meet Subcommittee and Dustin served on the Promotions Subcommittee.

Like all good things that must eventually come to an end, Dustin and Harmony aged out of the YF&R program, but not without purpose. While some may see the age limit as a barrier to growth, Dustin and Harmony saw it as a sign to step back and focus on raising their family and pouring into their daughters. Life allowed them to slow down and serve as county Farm Bureau president (Dustin) and as board members.

Now, 10 years after serving on the YF&R committee, Dustin and Harmony are back in statewide leadership, serving as state chairs of the Utah Farm Bureau Promotion & Engagement Committee. A few minutes on social media will reveal the love they both have for sharing the story of agriculture with the public. They see their time serving in this role as an opportunity to connect consumers to all facets of Farm Bureau and agriculture.

Harmony believes it’s the “micro-influencers” who will move the needle with those less connected to their food supply. “It’s not the person with a million or 2 million followers who will make the most impact; it’s the one with 2,000-5,000 followers who is intentional about making connections and sharing the story of agriculture,” says Harmony.

And it’s that love for agriculture and sharing their story that keeps the Cox family engaged. In a world where people are often chasing something they are not, Dustin encourages YF&R members serving at all levels to be authentic. While they are first-generation ranchers, Dustin and Harmony’s roots in agriculture run deep and they have certainly remained true to their faith and family principles on their leadership journey.

Cleveland Jackson serves on the AFBF YF&R Committee. He and his wife, Emilia, own and operate Jackson Farms, a commercial cow-calf operation, and Buttermilk Blooms, a cut flower farm, in Georgia. Cleve works off the farm for Elanco Animal Health as a senior account executive in the Poultry Business Unit.

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To remind farmers that help is just a phone call or text away, Sumter County (Florida) Farm Bureau and Everglades Equipment Group partnered in 2024 to put a decal with the 988 suicide prevention and lifeline hotline in every Everglades John Deere cab tractor sold throughout Florida.

The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is a national network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, seven days a week in the United States.

“Farmers face everyday challenges that can take a toll on mental well-being,” James Sutton, Sumter County Farm Bureau president, said when the partnership was launched. “Extreme weather events, financial uncertainty, unstable markets and labor shortages are just some of the stressors farmers and ranchers face. By incorporating mental health awareness into the everyday environment of farms, we hope to build a culture where everyone will recognize that it’s ok not to be ok and to ask for help.”

Tommie Peebles III, site manager of Everglades Equipment Group in Leesburg, Florida, said his company was honored to partner with Farm Bureau to address mental health in the agricultural community. “By leveraging the visibility of John Deere tractors, we have an opportunity to reach farmers statewide and ensure they know where to turn for help. If we can save one person, it’s a success.”

In addition to the 988 decals, Farm Bureau created a companion flyer that provides signs to look for when someone may be hurting and includes the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline call or text number and resources such as the AFBF Farm State of Mind Resource directory. Florida Farm Bureau also promoted the program and farmer mental health resources via their Facebook account.

The 988 decal program partnership with Everglades Equipment Group garnered Sumter County a 2025 American Farm Bureau Federation County Activities of Excellence Award. Sumter County and the other CAE winners displayed their winning activities at the AFBF Convention in San Antonio, Texas, earlier this year.

In addition, earlier this month, Florida Farm Bureau received an AFBF Communications Award for their promotion of the program and mental health resources.

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By John Sachse

Nestled near Leavenworth, Kansas, the Sachse family has been stewarding their land since the 1930s when the first members arrived from Germany. Originally cultivated with corn, soybeans, clover and oats, this rich farmland has supported five generations of Sachses (so far). Today, John Sachse continues the family tradition but with a modern twist — combining livestock production with resiliency and lifestyle coaching.

John grew up on the family farm, but it wasn't always his plan to return. Until his involvement in high school FFA and deep engagement with his education at Kansas State University, he had no interest in eventually coming back to the farm.

"Before FFA, I was much more interested in playing sports, especially baseball," John recalls. "I had the opportunity to play baseball in college, but ultimately turned down a few offers so I could continue my education in K-State’s College of Agriculture. My experiences there expanded my horizons. I realized the farm offered unique possibilities."

John's perspective further broadened through his next two ventures, first as an agriculture aid on U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran's staff then in a role with the Kansas Beef Council.

"Working on agricultural issues and connecting with farmers and ranchers within the political realm gave me fresh insights and renewed my interest in returning to farming and ranching," John explains.

Following his time with the Beef Council, John embarked on a new chapter by enlisting in the Kansas Army National Guard, fulfilling a longtime desire to serve his country.

It was during his officer training, witnessing the effects that stress, burden and worry can have on performance, that John discovered an even deeper calling to serve others through resiliency coaching. This realization aligned seamlessly with his desire to return to his roots at the family farm and ranch. Embracing this opportunity, John launched his coaching business, RanchFIT, which allowed him to introduce innovation while supporting others in their personal and professional growth.

John's current roles as an Army National Guard officer, rancher and coach have combined to give him a perspective that is crucial in aiding clients, including fellow farmers and ranchers, to take just one step toward mental wellbeing. In an industry that often presents both physical and mental challenges, John coaches his clients to reframe the stresses and struggles they face as opportunities for growth.

One of the steps John encourages his clients to take is incorporating physical fitness into their daily life. Each December, the Sachse family opens their ranch to the public to host a ruck event — a form of hiking with weight on your back — offering distance options of 5k, 10k, and 20k. This event provides individuals the opportunity to engage in something both physically and mentally demanding to build confidence for the new year.

Through integrating new ideas and emphasizing resiliency, John is steering the family farm and ranch into a promising future. This, coupled with his commitment to promoting positive lifestyle changes, challenging the narrative and pushing people to discover the best versions of themselves, underscores the evolving legacy of the Sachse farm — where tradition meets innovation in a supportive family environment.

John Sachse is a fourth-generation rancher, men's mindset coach and Kansas Army National Guard officer. Learn more about RanchFIT coaching here.

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By Allison Whiten

Sara Bullis shows that anyone can be involved in agriculture and Farm Bureau as long as they have passion. Sara currently lives in Vermont with her new husband and fur baby. While she is passionate about agriculture now, her story did not start out that way.

Sara did not grow up with an agriculture background. As she said, “You can’t have a cow in a one-acre lot in the suburbs.” Her agriculture story began in high school through FFA and agriscience biotechnology. Through her involvement in these programs, she found a love of farming that’s evident when you speak to her. Sara continued to foster this passion through college. While attending the University of Vermont, Sara participated in the Cooperative for Real Education in Agricultural Management (CREAM) program, during which she learned about dairy health and management while working with other students to care for the dairy herd.

Sara struggled early on to identify as a farmer because she was not farming 365 days a year. As she became more involved with Farm Bureau and agriculture, that changed. Sara has served as the Grand Isle County Young Farmers & Ranchers chair in Vermont, in addition to serving on the American Farm Bureau Young Farmers & Ranchers Committee from 2022 to 2024. When asked why she became involved with Farm Bureau, she replied, “I wanted to be involved in agriculture outside of my professional job.”

In addition to her full-time job as a mail carrier, Sara also works with her husband on their fourth-generation dairy farm. On the farm, she helps to manage yearly house rentals as well as artificial insemination for their herd. In addition, she is the Grand Isle County Farm Bureau president and serves as her county’s Promotion & Engagement Committee chair. Through Farm Bureau, she has found that anyone can identify with agriculture. She says, “As long as you tell your story, you're going to be a good advocate.”

In striving to be part of the “The Unifying Voice of Vermont Agriculture,” Sara shares the same mission as Vermont Farm Bureau. She has found that she can represent farmers who like to stay in the background and struggle to share their voice. She uses her experiences and strengths to share agriculture’s story.

Sara is open to engaging and working with everyone, regardless of their agricultural or Farm Bureau background. She reminds members to not be afraid to get involved, encouraging them to dive right in. She learned and grew the most when she got involved in agriculture and Farm Bureau and asked questions. She also stressed the importance of being involved on the national level, even if it is just attending a conference. Through the conferences, members get to meet people from all over the world and connect on the things they have in common, particularly their passions, and learn from their differences.. She also gave a wonderful reminder that there isn’t a stupid question. So many farmers love to talk about what they do and will welcome someone who is getting answers straight from the source. As she stated, “You don’t know unless you ask.”

Allison Whiten and her husband, Andy, serve on the AFBF YF&R Committee. They grow corn, wheat and soybeans in South Carolina. In addition to the row crops, Whiten Farms produces poultry. Allison is a special education teacher at a local elementary school and also leads a school-based 4-H club.

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Launched for the 2023-2024 school year, Michigan Farm Bureau’s Farm Science Van allowed the organization to reach 2,130 additional kindergarten-fifth grade students at 14 schools, an 11% increase from the previous school year’s engagement through their Farm Science Labs.

The Farm Science Van’s trained educators deliver in-school lessons that align with content standards and agricultural literacy, providing schools with the convenience of a hands-on agriculture learning experience without the hassle of transportation or field trip permissions.

Farm Science Programs

Michigan Farm Bureau’s FARM Science Programs began in 2016 with one FARM Science Lab, a concept developed by the state Promotion & Education Committee and supported through the Michigan Foundation for Agriculture. The program has since expanded to two labs, which travel statewide to offer kindergarten through fifth grade students a hands-on, field-trip-like experience. Annually, with the support of county Farm Bureaus, the programs reach 19,000 students, representing on average 12% to 15% of Michigan’s total kindergarten through fifth-grade student enrollment.

Exploring Options

As their 40-foot classrooms started to show their age and maintenance, space and transportation challenges kept popping up, Michigan Farm Bureau began exploring other consumer engagement options with an eye toward increasing engagement and education, minimizing transportation issues and providing more flexibility.

Michigan Farm Bureau conducted a deep dive on the Labs and alternatives that included market research, teacher surveys, stakeholder feedback and a comparison of the Labs to a van to ensure cost-effectiveness.

Much of the Van program’s design is based on Lab customers’ feedback. The new offering caters to smaller schools, homeschool groups and inner-city schools with a one-day minimum reservation, compared to the Labs’ two-day minimum. In addition, the Van costs $125 per day less than the Labs, making it more cost-effective.

Reach and Engagement Up

The Van helped Michigan Farm Bureau achieve its goal of reachin more students, with participation growing from more than 19,000 students and 1,000 educators on average each school year to more than 21,130 students when the Van program was launched for the 2023-2024 school year.

On top of the additional 2,130 students across 14 schools Michigan Farm Bureau reached through the Farm Science Van program, teacher feedback also suggests the Van is more effective for connecting with students, with a 5% higher rating for student engagement and learning compared to the Labs.

New Horizon Award

The Farm Science Van garnered Michigan Farm Bureau a 2025 New Horizon Award from the American Farm Bureau Federation. The award, which honors state Farm Bureaus with the most innovative new programs, is presented annually at the AFBF Convention.

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