2026 Young Farmer Leader award finalists announced

Fourteen finalists have been announced across Michigan Farm Bureau's 2026 Young Farmer awards program, celebrating outstanding young leaders in the state's prodigious farm sector.

The Young Farmer Agriculture Leader Award honors successful young agriculturalists who earn the majority of their income from a farm operation, for their outstanding leadership in Farm Bureau, farming and throughout the agricultural community.

Each finalist is awarded $400 in cash and MFB apparel sponsored by Farm Bureau Health Services. The 2026 state winner will receive a $1,000 AgroLiquid gift certificate, an equipment lease, and an all-expense paid trip to the 2027 AFBF FUSION Conference in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Here are this year's finalists in the Leader category:

Joshua Haubenstricker - Saginaw

Outside Frankenmuth Josh Haubenstricker and his dad raise corn, soybeans, wheat and the region's more distinctive commodities: black beans and sugar beets.

Josh brings to the table more than a young person's knack for technology. His real superpower is weaving tech into farm operations so seamlessly that even ol' dad gets it.

"I'm proud of my ability to adapt to new technology and continue moving the farm forward," he said. "Communication and efficiency go hand-in-hand, and being able to plan for success - rather than going with the flow and doing things how they've always been done - can have a huge impact on success."

Safeguarding dad's farm comes first, beginning with sensible priorities like trimming expenses and boosting efficiencies.

"I do not need to grow the farm, but if opportunities arise I'll take them," he said. "Otherwise I focus on good practices and improving the land."

Haubenstricker equates Farm Bureau involvement with opportunities to improve things back home.

"Whether it's Young Farmers who can relate to relationship issues and transition planning - or more experienced farmers with guidance for enduring market rollercoasters - I've learned a lot," he said.

"Even though we all have our own farms and businesses, it feels like we are all on the same team and are trying to help each other."

Kyle Rasch - Ottawa

Windy Ridge Orchards is almost 300 acres of apples and peaches between Conklin and Sparta - prime orchard land in the heart of Michigan's fabled Fruit Ridge. It's also where grower Kyle Rasch and his parents embody the combination of agricultural excellence and conscientious involvement and advocacy their livelihood increasingly relies on.

"I'm proud of my involvement with the ag-labor fly-in, where our efforts contributed to meaningful H2-A reforms that improved functionality for growers," Rasch said. "I'm also proud to have helped lead our farm's participation in the Materne Regenerative Pilot Program, advancing practical approaches to regenerative agriculture."

Down the road Rasch looks forward to building and flexing his leadership muscles, both within Farm Bureau and the apple industry in general.

"I'm especially focused on implementing new, value-added market opportunities," he said, especially "developing a sustainable dried apple product."

The ProFILE leadership-development program is also on his to-do list, as is contributing energies toward the Michigan Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Association - MACMA - board of directors.

"Farm Bureau membership allows us, as farmers, to have a unified voice in agriculture, and make changes vital to our farms' sustainability."

Daniel Ringkvist - Lenawee

Down in Lenawee County, Daniel Ringkvist raises 500 acres of corn, soybeans and just enough hay to keep things interesting. He's also got an excavation company on the side and readily takes on work laying tile, clearing drains, maintaining ponds and cleaning out fence lines.

"I farm independently and have an amazing group of friends and family who provide assistance when needed - or even some encouraging words to brighten my day," he said.

Ringkvist counts that independent status among his greatest accomplishments to date: "It has been so rewarding to be able to live my life on the farm."

He credits the Young Farmer program for much of that success, and embraces opportunities to mentor peers and nudge them closer to their own goals.

His to-do list includes verification in the Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program: "I'm excited. It's something I have been working on for quite some time.

"Farm Bureau is an amazing program," Ringkvist praised. "The networking, the helpful staff... There's no better team I would want to be part of.

"They've done so much to help shape me into the man I am today."

Taylor Schomaker - Saginaw

Schomaker Farms encompasses produce, livestock and agritourism in Thomas Township, just west of Saginaw. Taylor Schomaker and her husband Ryan produce 30 different crops on as many acres and raise protein from chickens and sheep to pasturing cattle and pigs.

Flexing her Farm Bureau leadership programming toward boosting her local farm community is a point of pride. Schomaker's efforts to link her community with ag include cultivating the Thomas Township Farmers Market, a weekly gathering place supporting local farms and businesses while making locally grown food more accessible.

"I'm also proud of expanding our education and outreach," Schomaker said, "creating programs and experiences that help people learn where food comes from and build trust in agriculture through hands-on connection."

Down the road Schomaker aims to grow the farm - responsibly - and continue efforts to expand ag-education and outreach programs to enlighten even more non-farmers with sound understanding of food production, processing and distribution.

"Farm Bureau has connected me to a strong network of ag leaders and practical resources for improved decision-making on our farm and throughout our community," Shomaker said. "I've grown as a leader through education, relationships and programs that amplify ag's story and strengthen the future of Michigan farming."