Compeer Financial GroundBreaker of the Year

NOMINATE THE 2026

GROUNDBREAKER OF THE YEAR

Every Farm Has a Story Waiting to be Celebrated

The GroundBreaker of the Year Award honors young and beginning farmers whose impact goes beyond the field. Nominate one from now through July 31, 2025.

Compeer Financial annually honors three clients from Illinois, Minnesota or Wisconsin who show outstanding leadership, advocacy and community involvement.

One farmer or farmer couple receives $5,000 and a $2,500 donation to a nonprofit of their choice*
Two honorable mentions receive $2,500 each

The GroundBreaker of the Year is more than just an award – it’s part of Compeer’s commitment to providing the tools, funding and education needed to help the next generation succeed.

Nominees Must Be:

A current Compeer client**
18-35 years old or have 10 years or less of farming experience.
Actively farming in Illinois, Minnesota or Wisconsin.

Want to make your nomination stand out? Check out these helpful tips

Be specific: Describe achievements in leadership, community involvement and advocacy
Use numbers: Quantify impact whenever possible
Make it personal: Share a story that captures who they are and what they care about
Double-check eligibility before submitting

Deadline: July 31, 2025 at 11:59 p.m.
Winners announced: February 2026

Nominate a GroundBreaker

Meet The 2025 Groundbreaker

Evan Schrauth

Get inspired by our past winner who is innovating, leading and giving back to rural communities.

Know a Farmer Who’d Be a Perfect Fit, but Isn’t a Client (Yet)?

We know young and beginning farmers everywhere need support. While this award is just one of the ways we celebrate our clients, Compeer offers tools, resources and education to help all farmers take their next step.

If someone you know could benefit from Compeer’s support, we’d love to connect.

Explore How We Can Help

*Charitable contribution must meet the requirements of the official contest rules available on the nomination page.

**Nominees must be current agricultural or animal lending, leasing or tax and accounting clients in good standing and not in default or delinquent of any obligations to Compeer.

Compeer Financial is an equal opportunity employer and provider, and an equal credit opportunity lender. Mortgage Account Errors, Requests for Information, and Credit Reporting Disputes – If you would like to request information concerning your mortgage account, or if you believe there is an error on your mortgage account or that Compeer Financial has furnished information to a credit reporting agency on any of your account(s) that is not accurate, you will need to send a written statement to us describing in detail the information you are requesting or the information you believe is in error or inaccurate along with your name, address, and account number to Compeer Financial, Attn: RLS Servicing, PO Box 4459, Mankato, MN 56002-4459.
NMLS #619731