Texas Farm Bureau names 2026 outstanding young farmers, ranchers
(WACO, Texas)—Young farmers and ranchers are cultivating a bright future for agriculture and for Texas.
This year’s Outstanding Young Farmer & Rancher (YF&R) contest finalists recognized by Texas Farm Bureau (TFB) share a drive and passion for agriculture.
They plant seeds of faith, nurture their fields and pastures and care for their families. They also commit time to their communities, county Farm Bureaus and TFB.
Each year, TFB’s Outstanding YF&R competition recognizes the accomplishments of some of the state’s top agricultural leaders between the ages of 18 and 35 and rewards them for their hard work, dedication and determination.
The 2026 Outstanding YF&R finalists are Colin and Joy Graff of Hondo, Colby and Ashley McClendon of Lavon and Zachary and Rheegan Mengers of Tynan.
“At a time when farmers and ranchers are facing rising input costs, emerging threats like New World screwworm and countless challenges beyond their control, these young farmers and ranchers continue to invest in their operations, their families and their communities,” TFB President Russell Boening said. “We’re proud to honor these three couples for their perseverance and dedication to Texas agriculture.”
Colin and Joy Graff
Colin and Joy Graff grow hay and forage crops in Medina County. They produce about 25,000 bales each year for feedlots and exotic ranches across Texas. Their crops include sorghum, Tifton, coastal bermudagrass, oats and Triticale to meet the nutritional needs of a variety of livestock.
Joy manages their small Santa Gertrudis cow-calf herd and hopes to expand it in the future. Colin also repairs agricultural equipment and provides custom farming services.
Together, they own a ranch improvement business that specializes in pasture renovation, land clearing and development.
The Graffs are active in Medina County Farm Bureau, where Colin currently serves as vice president and previously served as president. They are also engaged in their church and community and support local youth agricultural programs.
They live in Hondo with their two sons.
Colby and Ashley McClendon
Colby and Ashley McClendon are sixth-generation farmers and ranchers who grow wheat, oats, corn, sorghum, soybeans and hay. They also provide custom planting, spraying and harvesting for area farmers. They raise Black Angus and Hereford cattle and sell their beef through their on-farm meat market.
The couple is committed to preserving their family’s agricultural legacy while adapting to the challenges of urban growth in Collin County, one of the fastest-growing counties in the state.
The McClendons attend county and state YF&R events and activities. Colby serves on the Collin County Farm Bureau board of directors and is on the TFB Feed Grains & Oilseeds Advisory Committee. Colby was also appointed by Gov. Greg Abbott to serve on the Texas Agricultural Finance Authority.
The couple is active in their community and sponsors awards for their local FFA chapter.
They live in Lavon with their two daughters.
Zachary and Rheegan Mengers
Zachary and Rheegan Mengers are fifth-generation farmers who grow sorghum, corn, cotton and sesame. They raise American Wagyu cattle and sell their beef directly to consumers, as well as operate a greenhouse that provides plants to their community.
Zachary farms with his father while also managing his own farming operation. He is continuing his family’s agricultural legacy while building for the future.
The Mengers are active in state YF&R events and county Farm Bureau activities. Zachary serves as vice chair of TFB’s YF&R Advisory Committee and is on TFB’s Feed Grains & Oilseeds Advisory Committee.
The couple are active in their church and community, where Zachary is the president of the Tynan Volunteer Fire Department.
They live in Tynan with their two sons and daughter.
Contest Awards
The winner will be announced at the TFB Annual Meeting Dec. 4-6 in Waco.
The winner will receive a $60,000 member-dealer voucher to be used at Ford, Case IH, Grasshopper, CAT or John Deere, courtesy of Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company; and expense-paid trips to the TFB Annual Meeting and American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) Annual Convention.
Two runners-up will receive a $500 cash award, courtesy of Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company; and an expense-paid trip to the TFB Annual Meeting.
The top eight finalists in the contest each received a $1,000 cash award from Farm Bureau Bank.
The state winner will advance to compete in the national contest hosted by AFBF.
Information on the contest and TFB’s YF&R program can be found online at texasfarmbureau.org/YFR.
TFB Annual Meeting details
For more information about TFB’s 93rd Annual Meeting, visit https://texasfarmbureau.org/annualmeeting.
For high-resolution images of this year’s contestants, please click the name of the contestant below.
For broadcast-quality video of the candidates, please email Ed Wolff at [email protected].