Farm Bureau Press

Arkansas Ag Innovation Challenge

A payday for Arkansas Ag innovators comes just in time for Christmas. Cash prizes totaling $15,000 await top ag startup businesses during Arkansas Farm Bureau’s state convention Nov. 29-Dec. 1 in Little Rock. The new ‘Ag Innovation Challenge’ is administered by Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation in partnership with Farm Credit Associations of Arkansas.

“The business can be anything that helps ag business, any ag innovation,” says ArFB’s Philip Powell. Powell, who serves as Director of Local Affairs and Rural Development, Public Affairs and Government Relations, was thrilled when the ArFB state board approved the program April 19. Powell worked for a start-up ag business in Alabama two years ago that competed in the American Farm Bureau’s Ag Innovation Challenge.

Arkansas’ contest winner receives $7,500 this first year. Runner-up takes $5,000 and a ‘People’s Choice’ award winner claims $2,500. The ‘People’s Choice’ winner can also be the first place or runner-up winner. Entrepreneurs entering the contest must be 18 and Farm Bureau members. Applicants who are not Farm Bureau members can join a state Farm Bureau arfb.com/join.

Applications call for inclusion of various information regarding an applicant’s business plan, photos and a video pitch. The business must be forprofit. Judges review applications to select the winner and runner-up. The application window opens soon and closes Oct. 9.