Look around at the folks you know. There’s a good chance you have a Master Farmer in your midst — or at the least, someone who should be a Master Farmer. And now is the time to make that happen.

Nominations are open for the 2024 Prairie Farmer Master Farmer award, and they’re due Aug. 25.

Maybe it’s your parents, your sibling, your neighbors, a friend or a colleague. Perhaps it’s someone you’ve served with on a board, or someone you’ve long looked up to. The application includes a nomination form and requires eight to 12 letters of support — but no financial information.

A lot of folks think that Master Farmer nominees have to share their balance sheet or deeply private financial information. But make no mistake, no one needs to provide those kinds of details. The judging panel focuses on growth of the operation over time, agricultural productivity and community involvement.

Who’s eligible? Here’s a look:

The selection committee will be comprised of Illinois agricultural leaders, including experts in agronomy and agricultural finance, past Master Farmers, agricultural research or university authorities, and Prairie Farmer editorial staff.

Prairie Farmer staff will present the awards in March at the Master Farmer Awards Luncheon. And as always, Prairie Farmer is grateful to Growmark for its sponsorship of the Master Farmer awards program.

Here’s a look at what makes for a successful application:

Show growth. In the sections asking about farm history and growth, more information is better than less. Share how the individual(s) got started, and show how their operation has progressed. Sometimes growth happens in numbers of acres or livestock; sometimes it’s through niche markets or specialty crops. Judges look for candidates who have made the most of what they have.

Don’t sweat financials. Again, no detailed financial information is required.

Get letters. Collect eight to 12 recommendation letters to support your nomination. These letters give insight to character and reputation in the community. At least one needs to come from a farmer in the nominee’s neighborhood.

Think local. Don’t forget all the things the candidate does in the local community, as well as state and national organizations. These lists are often very detailed. For spouses or sibling nominations, list each individual’s activities, noting who did what.

Don’t wait. It’s not a quick process to nominate a Master Farmer. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime award, and the application reflects an entire career.

Think well-rounded. Community involvement is weighted highly as judges select winners, but so too is a farmer’s agricultural production skills and dedication to family.

Check the mirror. You can nominate yourself. Many farmers do every year.

The 2024 application is available online. Download it, fill it out and send it in, complete with letters of support, by Aug. 25. Or, email [email protected] to have an application sent to you or to get more information.