County Farm Bureaus do meaningful, creative work to engage members and strengthen their communities — and the American Farm Bureau’s County Activities of Excellence (CAE) Awards are a great way to share that success.
If your county’s hosted a strong program, tried a new idea, or found an effective way to connect with members, this is a chance to showcase that work and inspire others nationwide. CAE recognizes local, volunteer-driven efforts in six areas:
- Education & Ag Promotion
- Member Services
- Public Relations & Information
- Leadership Development
- Policy Implementation
- Safety
Applications are open, so let’s see some of Michigan’s outstanding county Farm Bureaus represented!
Whether it’s a long-standing tradition or a new idea that really took off, CAE Awards highlight your Farm Bureau’s impact. Up to 24 county Farm Bureau activities from across the country will be featured at the 2027 AFBF Annual Convention and Trade Show, next January in Charlotte, N.C. Counties partnering together are welcome to submit a joint application online before the Sept. 1 deadline.
If your county has applied for a Champions of Excellence Award and indicated that you would also like your project considered for the AFBF County Activities of Excellence program, watch for a follow-up email. We’ll share more details and tips to help you put the finishing touches on your application before submission.
Each county Farm Bureau must create its own login to start; you can access the application here. Winners will be announced in early October. Individual county and multi-county winning entries will receive four complimentary registrations and a $4,500 cash award to help cover travel and display costs for the AFBF Annual. Visit www.fb.org/CAE for more information.
And for inspiration before applying, you can review past CAE winning applications here.
Here’s a quick FAQ:
What if my county’s program doesn’t fit the category options?
- CAE applications sort into six categories for archival purposes — they don’t impact scoring — so pick the category you feel fits best: Education & Ag Promotion, Member Services, Public Relations & Information, Leadership Development, Policy Implementation, and Safety.
Are there promotional materials for CAE?
- Yes; here’s a flyer with all the rules and other info.
Where can I access the application?
- The application is here and at the CAE page on AFBF’s website.
How do I navigate Reviewr, the CAE submission portal?
- Easy: Click here for a submission guide that’ll walk you through, step by step.
Where can I find past winning CAE applications?
- In the CAE archives; click here.
Who is eligible to apply?
- Individual or groups of county Farm Bureaus that’ve completed an activity between Sept. 1, 2025 and Aug. 31, 2026 — and which haven’t won a CAE Award or displayed at AFBF for the past two consecutive years.
Must the winning county attend AFBF if they win?
- No. Winners may present at the AFBF Trade Show but aren’t required to. However, winning county Farm Bureaus must be present and host a booth to receive its award money and complimentary convention registrations.
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