The Farmer of the Year award is meant to honor farmers who have contributed to the organic farming movement through significant experience and to network those leaders with less practiced farmers. Farmers of the Year serve as important guides to our organization as the organic movement continues to evolve. Capturing their stories and legacy improves the integrity of the movement. In some ways, they represent a circle of elders for our community (although many are not old!). They can speak from experience about the persistence and resilience needed to have a full career in farming, and the vision and values for good food, fiber, and medicine needed to get through the inevitable tough times.

Farmers of the Year are certified organic producers in the Midwest (Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, or Wisconsin).

Note: Marbleseed employees, current board members, and past Farmers of the Year are not eligible. See the Marbleseed Farmer of the Year webpage for a list of previous recipients.