GoAg3: Application

Eligibility Criteria:

One generation of the Family must be personally involved in production agriculture with > 70% of personal income derived from and/or >70% of working time is committed to operation. Production agriculture is described as the growing of plants, trees, flowers, fruits, nuts, and other specialty crops to create income or the raising of animals to provide meat, animals for others to raise or development of by-products to create income.

• Family must have at least two generations who farm/work/live in the USA.
• Family must be represented by at least three living generations.
• Family members must be leaders in their community, company, or organization and give back to their community in substantial ways.
• Family’s living generations (minimum of three) must be:
  • involved in or retired from production agriculture and/or
  • employed by or retired from an agricultural related industry and/or 
  • participating in a personal agriculture business and/or
  • be a member of a student agricultural organization such as FFA and/or 4-H. *(additional living and/or deceased generations and number of Family members will impact final score)

• The family contact must complete the Intent to Apply. Email addresses for each family member will need to be shared on this electronic form.
• Once received, please allow up to 3 business days for the link to the application to be sent to family members as a Google Document. Click here to see the sample application.
• Three letters of support must be submitted at this link. These are reference letters that can be developed that will support your application.

The application requires all three generations to fill out part of the application, with some additional questions being filled out only by the applicant. All information remains confidential. The winner will be asked to sign a release waiver for promotion and recognition.

Applications must be completed by January 31, 2026 at midnight. Applications will then be downloaded for judging. 

Recognition:

• Winners will be recognized at the Generations of Women in Agriculture Across America Luncheon, held in August 2026. 
• Winners will be announced on the Illinois Agri-Women website on August 1, 2026 and honored in the Fall IAW Newsletter and released to agriculture media.
• Top 3 Winners will receive the following Awards:
  • Third Place: $1,000
  • Second Place: $2,500
  • First Place: $5,000

Judging Committee: Selection is made by Illinois agricultural leaders, past IAW Hall of Fame Awardees, agricultural research or University authorities, and IL Agricultural Resource Council Board members.