FarmlandFinder Founder and CEO Steven Brockshus, a graduate of ISU’s CYstarters program, will compete in the 2019 Farm Bureau Ag Innovation Challenge on Jan. 13.

Ames-based startup, FarmlandFinder, has been selected as one of four finalists in the 2019 Farm Bureau Ag Innovation Challenge.

“It’s an honor to recognize these four outstanding rural businesses for advancing in the Ag Innovation Challenge,” said AFBF President Zippy Duvall. “Starting rural businesses takes faith, courage and creativity. We wish all of these entrepreneurs well as they continue striving to take their food and agriculture businesses to the next level.”

The final four teams have all expenses paid to compete in a live pitch competition at American Farm Bureau Federation’s Annual Convention in New Orleans on Jan. 13. Finalists were each awarded $15,000 and will now compete to win:

  • Farm Bureau Rural Entrepreneur of the Year award and $15,000 (chosen by judges), for a total of $30,000

  • People’s Choice award and $10,000 (chosen by public vote), for a total of $25,000

Startup funds for the 2019 Ag Innovation Challenge are provided by sponsors Farm Credit, John Deere, Bayer Crop Science, Country Financial, Farm Bureau Financial Services and Farm Bureau Bank. In it’s fifth year, the competition provides an opportunity for individuals to showcase ideas and business innovations in agriculture.

FarmlandFinder Founder and CEO Steven Brockshus was a cohort one member of the CYstarters program in the Iowa State University Pappajohn Center for Entrepreneurship.

Read the Farm Bureau press release here.