The AGCO Agriculture Foundation (the “Foundation”), a private foundation committed to preventing and relieving hunger through sustainable agricultural development, has announced a groundbreaking new partnership with Cultivating New Frontiers in Agriculture (CNFA). Together, they are launching a transformative initiative to support youth-led innovation in the agri-food sector. This collaboration aims to equip the next generation of agricultural leaders with the knowledge, tools, and resources needed to drive sustainable change in the United States’ food systems.
As part of the initiative, the Foundation has awarded CNFA a $450,000 grant to be distributed over a three-year period. This funding will directly support the creation and implementation of the Youth AgriChampion Program, a dynamic leadership and innovation accelerator designed to identify and empower 30 young changemakers — aptly named “AgriChampions.” These participants, ranging in age from 18 to 40, will be selected based on their demonstrated commitment to advancing sustainable agricultural practices and their passion for addressing food system challenges.
Empowering Future Leaders Through Training and Seed Funding
The Youth AgriChampion Program will run in three annual cohorts, with 10 AgriChampions selected each year. These young farmers, entrepreneurs, and innovators will receive tailored training, expert mentorship, and access to a seed grant fund of $45,000 per cohort. The financial support will help participants bring their innovative agricultural solutions to life, or scale existing projects aimed at promoting sustainability, climate resilience, and digital transformation in agri-food systems.
Each six-month cohort will focus on developing the participants’ technical and leadership skills. The program curriculum will cover a wide range of essential topics, including sustainable farming methods, climate-smart agriculture, digital innovation in farming, value chain development, and entrepreneurship. Through interactive workshops, peer collaboration, and one-on-one mentoring sessions, AgriChampions will refine their ideas and design implementation strategies that are practical, community-focused, and scalable.
The program also provides a valuable platform for networking and knowledge exchange, allowing participants to build lasting relationships with fellow innovators, agricultural experts, and other stakeholders. By sharing successes and challenges, AgriChampions will be able to learn from one another, exchange insights, and collaborate on cross-regional projects that amplify their collective impact.
Building Resilience and Sustainability in U.S. Agri-Food Systems
The collaboration between the AGCO Agriculture Foundation and CNFA reflects a shared commitment to fostering sustainable agri-food systems through inclusive and forward-thinking solutions. One of the core goals of the Youth AgriChampion Program is to drive systemic change that enhances food security, stimulates economic growth, and increases access to nutritious food in underserved communities.
“In alignment with our purpose to sustainably feed the world, the Foundation also recognizes the need to empower and support young farmers and agri-entrepreneurs in bringing their innovative ideas, talents and impact-driven solutions to life,” said Louisa Parker-Smith, Vice President, Global Corporate Sustainability at AGCO Corporation. “By investing in youth leadership and agricultural innovation, we are contributing to the transformation of agri-food systems in a way that is more inclusive, equitable and sustainable.”
The program particularly encourages participation from individuals working in or developing solutions for marginalized and low-income communities that often face barriers to healthy food access. Whether it’s deploying climate-smart technologies, promoting regenerative agriculture, developing food processing solutions, or using digital tools to improve supply chains, the initiative seeks to support innovations that address real-world problems with lasting, community-level impacts.
CNFA: A Trusted Partner in Agricultural Development
Cultivating New Frontiers in Agriculture (CNFA) brings a wealth of experience to the partnership. With a mission to stimulate economic growth and improve livelihoods in the agricultural sector, CNFA has led numerous successful initiatives in the U.S. and abroad. The organization is known for its deep commitment to supporting farmers, building inclusive agribusinesses, and fostering the next generation of agricultural leaders.
Alan Pieper, President, Chief Executive Officer & Chief Operating Officer at CNFA, emphasized the significance of this initiative: “The AGCO Agriculture Foundation Youth AgriChampion Program is a step towards supporting the next generation of farmers and entrepreneurs to scale their innovations and contribute to a more sustainable U.S. agriculture. By enhancing access to nutritious food, driving economic growth, and expanding employment opportunities, this program plays a vital role in advancing food security and resilience.”
Pieper added that the program is not only about technical training and funding, but also about cultivating leadership. “Through this initiative, we aim to create a strong network of changemakers who will lead the charge in transforming our food systems from the ground up. These AgriChampions will serve as role models and catalysts of change within their communities and beyond.”
A Vision for Scalable and Lasting Impact
The AGCO Agriculture Foundation’s investment in youth-led innovation underscores its long-term commitment to transforming food systems. With agriculture increasingly at the intersection of climate change, economic disparity, and population growth, the need for sustainable and inclusive solutions has never been more urgent. Empowering young people with fresh ideas and a deep-rooted passion for change is essential to tackling these complex challenges.
The Foundation envisions that successful AgriChampion-led innovations could serve as replicable models for broader adoption across different regions of the U.S. and potentially globally. By tracking and measuring the outcomes of the funded projects, the program will generate valuable data and insights into what types of interventions are most effective in promoting sustainable agriculture and community resilience.
Furthermore, the Foundation and CNFA plan to highlight the work of AgriChampions through storytelling, media campaigns, and impact reports. These efforts will raise awareness about the importance of youth involvement in agriculture and help attract additional support and investment for agri-food innovation.
