Johnson Wins 2026 Young Farmer Award
Published: Friday, October 23, 2026
Justin Johnson of Whitley County, Megan and Justin Platt of Shelby County, and Courtney Mann of Putnam County are the winners of Indiana Farm Bureau's top awards for Young Farmers & Ag Professionals (YF&AP)—the Excellence in Agriculture, Rising Star and Achievement awards.
All three awards recognize young farmers and ag professionals for their leadership and involvement with Farm Bureau, in addition to their commitment to strengthening agriculture across Indiana. A panel of judges evaluated this year's participants.
Johnson, Whitley County, is the winner of the Excellence in Agriculture Award. The award honors Farm Bureau members who derive the majority of their income from off the farm and who actively contribute and grow their involvement in Farm Bureau, the agriculture industry and other community organizations. Johnson will receive a cash prize and an all-expenses-paid trip to Charlotte, N.C. to compete in the national Excellence in Agriculture competition at the 2027 American Farm Bureau convention in January.
Johnson grew up surrounded by agriculture on both sides of his family and was integrated into Farm Bureau activities as a young kid. Although his grandparents sold their farm operation before he graduated high school, Johnson found a way to blend his two passions—agriculture and technology—into a future career.
He earned his bachelor's degree in agricultural systems management and farm management from Purdue University, where he also served as president of his Collegiate Farm Bureau chapter. He won the state Collegiate Discussion Meet and the Young Farmers & Ag Professionals Discussion Meet, which he says helped strengthen his communication skills, broaden his perspective and prepare for future leadership.
Johnson is also involved on the board of his county Farm Bureau, serving as the YF&AP chair and public relations coordinator. He's a L.E.A.D. (Leadership, Education, Action, Development) program graduate and has participated in both the rural broadband and the innovation and technology issue advisory committees.
"Very few people get the opportunity to grow up on a farm and that's a blessing," said Johnson. "I could have gone in any direction with my career, but agriculture is in my blood."
Johnson now works for a large agricultural equipment dealership as a customer success technician where he helps farmers use precision technology and maximize the value of their farms. That role also incorporates his passion for advocating to expand rural broadband access to the last mile.
"Winning this award is an honor because of the chance I get to represent the state of Indiana on a national level," said Johnson. "My grandparents served on the first Young Farmer committee, and my parents have both been active on our county board and at the state level. Their example helped instill in me the value of leadership, service and involvement."
Platt won the Rising Star Award, which honors outstanding members between the ages of 18-30 who are active in Farm Bureau, display personal and professional growth by participating in those activities, and are passionate about agriculture. The Platts will receive a $2,000 cash prize and an all-expenses-paid trip to New Orleans for the 2027 Farm Bureau FUSION Conference.
Mann won the Achievement Award, which recognizes and rewards young farmers who derive the majority of their income from a farming operation and are judged on their leadership involvement and farm management techniques.
Mann will receive a cash prize and an all-expenses-paid trip to compete in the national Achievement Award competition at the 2027 American Farm Bureau convention in Charlotte, N.C. in January. She also will be awarded the David L. Leising Memorial Award.
Winners and finalists will be formally recognized during the Indiana Ag Gathering presented by INFB in December.
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