Atwater Earns Top 10 Finalist Recognition in National Young Farmers & Ranchers Achievement Award Contest

ANAHEIM, CAL. - Nebraska Farm Bureau (NEFB) member Lance Atwater, of the Adams/Webster County Farm Bureau, was named a Top 10 finalist of the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) Young Farmers & Ranchers (YF&R) Achievement Award. Young farmers and ranchers from across the country competed for the awards by demonstrating knowledge, achievement and commitment to promoting agriculture during the AFBF 107th Annual Convention in Anaheim, Cal. Jan. 9-14.

"It's an honor to make the Top Ten finalists of the Farm Bureau Achievement Award and be part of that group, hearing about the other competitors' successful operations and the things they're doing to be successful," said Atwater. "It's a privilege to be part of the finalists and an honor to represent not only Nebraska Farm Bureau, but Nebraska farmers and ranchers. It's rewarding to have the opportunity to share the story about our state and the things that I'm doing on my farm and what I've done to get where I'm at, in both leadership and on the farm."

The Achievement Award recognizes young farmers and ranchers who have excelled in their farming or ranching operations and exhibited superior leadership abilities. Participants are evaluated on a combination of their agricultural operation's growth and financial progress, Farm Bureau leadership and leadership outside of Farm Bureau.

"Lance truly reflects the best of Nebraska agriculture - he's hardworking, forward-thinking, and deeply committed to building a strong future. His leadership shows what's possible when passion, perseverance, and a desire to serve come together, and his impact on both his operation and the next generation makes him an outstanding example of leadership in action," said Audrey Schipporeit, NEFB director of leadership development.

Atwater, owner of Atwater Family Farms, has spent a lifetime working toward his dream of farming. He is married to Krystal and has two children, Ryker and Addilynn. After earning a degree in agricultural economics from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Atwater returned home and spent a year working in precision agriculture at his local cooperative. In 2014, he joined his family's farming operation full time. By 2016, Atwater began expanding his own operation by picking up ground and building relationships through custom farming.

Today he raises popcorn, white corn, yellow corn, and soybeans, while sharing his passion with the next generation. A longtime advocate for service, Atwater credits his time as a Nebraska FFA state officer for shaping his commitment to giving back. Soon after returning from college, he was recruited to the Adams/Webster County Farm Bureau board.

"A friend reached out and asked if I'd be interested in getting involved. The rest is history. I've been engaged in Farm Bureau ever since."

Atwater has served on the Nebraska Farm Bureau Board of Directors for the past seven years.

Looking ahead, Atwater remains focused on navigating challenging economic conditions and building a sustainable future for his family.

"It continues to show that Farm Bureau is thinking about the next generation. It's really easy to think about yourself, but once you have kids and you start thinking about that next generation, your whole perspective changes," said Atwater. "You can see that in our local Farm Bureau, you can see it in Nebraska Farm Bureau, and you can see it in the American Farm Bureau. We're always thinking about ways to make a better future for that next generation that wants to be part of this great industry."

The Nebraska Farm Bureau is a grassroots, state-wide organization dedicated to supporting farm and ranch families and working for the benefit of all Nebraskans through a wide variety of educational, service, and advocacy efforts. Nearly 55,000 families across Nebraska are Farm Bureau members, working together to achieve rural and urban prosperity as agriculture is a key fuel to Nebraska's economy. For more information about Nebraska Farm Bureau and agriculture, visit https://www.nefb.org.