More than 350 applications from 39 states are officially entered into the American Farm Bureau’s Third Rural Entrepreneurship Challenge. Entrepreneurs competing in the challenge are vying for $145,000 in startup funds and judging in the event is underway.
The competition is a chance to showcase business ideas and plans that would help to build stronger rural communities. It’s the first competition to focus on entrepreneurs working in food and agricultural businesses. All applications include a business plan, video pitch, and photo, and will be reviewed by judges. The top ten teams are announced in August, with the bottom six teams getting $10,000 each in startup funds and the top four teams advance to the final competition. The final four teams compete in a live competition at the AFBF Annual Convention in Phoenix on January 8.