Skip to main content

Awards & Honors

Recognizing Bright Stars in Michigan Ag

One of the highlights of the State Annual Meeting are the opportunities to shine a spotlight on some of the best and brightest among us. The annual honors and awards presentations are popular events that bring well-deserved attention to those who often work behind the scenes to make a big difference for Michigan agriculture. Here are the awards and honors that will be recognized during this year’s State Annual Meeting.

Michigan Farm Bureau Young Farmer Awards

Presented during Leadership Banquet, Tuesday, Dec. 3.

This attendee-favorite presentation showcases the winners from the annual Young Farmer Award program in four categories:

Award Details
Image grid of the four Young Farmer Award winners under an illustrated state park sign reading "YOUNG FARMER AWARDS WINNERS."

Educator of the Year

Presented during Leadership Banquet, Tuesday, Dec. 3.

Education has a special place in the hearts of Michigan Farm Bureau members and plays a critical role in the future of Michigan agriculture. Designed to recognize an educator's efforts to incorporate agriculture and natural resources into the school curriculum both in K-12 classrooms or in Agriscience Career and Technical Education programs, the Educator of the Year candidates are nominated by County Farm Bureaus.

Learn more about Annalyse Auxter, last year's Educator of the Year, here.

Award Details
Portrait of 2024 Educator of the Year Award winner Annalyse Auxter smiling on the stage of the 2024 State Annual Meeting as she receives her award from President Carl Bednarski.

Presidential Volunteer of the Year

Presented during the Member Engagement Lunch on Wednesday, Dec. 4.

Volunteers are the lifeblood of Michigan Farm Bureau and MFB President Carl Bednarski considers it an honor to recognize one outstanding volunteer with the Presidential Volunteer of the Year Award at State Annual Meeting.

Learn more about last year's Presidential Volunteer of the Year winner, Lynda Horning of Washtenaw County, here.

Award Details
Presidential Volunteer of the Year award winner Lynda Horning on stage with President Bednarski at the 2023 MFB State Annual Meeting

Distinguished Service to Agriculture

Presented during the Annual Banquet, Wednesday, Dec. 4.

The crown jewel of all MFB awards, the Distinguished Service to Agriculture Award caps off the State Annual Meeting. Michigan Farm Bureau's highest honor, the DSA was first given in 1956, and recognizes individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the state's agricultural industry.

Learn more about this year's winner, Dave Armstrong of GreenStone Farm Credit Services, here.

Award Details
2024 Distinguished Service to Agriculture award winner Dave Armstrong receiving his award from MFB President Carl Bednarski on stage at the 2024 State Annual Meeting.