THE DETAILS

The American Farm Bureau Federation’s Communications Awards program recognizes outstanding communications and public relations work produced by state Farm Bureaus. Winning entries will be announced at the 2026 Communications Conference in New Orleans, on Aug. 9.

Entry criteria:

- Work published, printed, broadcast or otherwise produced in full or partly during calendar year 2025.

- There are two divisions for each category, based on 2025 final membership figures (see below). You’ll select your division using a pull-down menu that lists the included states.

Groups 1-3
Groups 4-6

- Outside production may be eligible if planning, scripting and ideas originated with Farm Bureau staff and reasons for going outside are fully explained. Each state may submit one entry per category.

- An individual name (or names) of those most directly responsible for the entry must be submitted. Do not list “X Team” or “Y Department” as the individual contributor(s).

- Judges will select only one winning entry per category and have the option to grant “honorable mentions.” If just one entry is received in a specific category of a membership division, the entry will be moved to the other division for evaluation. Brief written comments/critiques for each entry will be provided. Evaluation rubrics used by the contest judges are available for your review.

- In all categories, professionalism and relevance to the Farm Bureau cause will be the primary characteristics evaluated by the judges. They will decide whether the entry meets current standards of each discipline as practiced by full-time editors, writers, reporters, artists, photographers and technicians. They will also weigh the impact of the entry’s effectiveness in enhancing Farm Bureau’s image to audiences, as appropriate. Any entry that does not adhere to these Rules and Guidelines may be rejected.

- To enter the contest as a new contestant, please submit your name and state to our contest management partner, Corner Window Communications, at kristy@cornerwindowcommunications.com. You will be sent the required log-in information. If you have previous log-in information for the contest website, it remains the same. If you have forgotten your log-in information, send an email to kristy@cornerwindowcommunications.com.

- Digital submissions are required for all entries. Physical entries will be not be accepted unless there are extenuating circumstances (and if so, contact the contest organizer in advance to discuss).

- Submission of a fillable PDF entry form is required for all entries. This is your opportunity to provide narrative information to enhance your entry beyond what is evident in the product. Be truthful and concise, but make your case. We recognize that the information submitted may be brief for some less complex entries, which is fine.

- Put your “best foot forward” by uploading supporting materials for your entry in priority order. Upload the entry form as your first attachment, followed by other materials.