America's Best Young Farmers & Ranchers

American agriculture is unmatched around the world. Yet with this success comes an even greater challenge: Who will replace the half-million farmers and ranchers who plan to retire over the next two decades? Look no further than our sixth class of America's Best Young Farmers and Ranchers. They are among the best of their generation. They embrace the future of agriculture and are developing the technical and managerial skills to build their own successful businesses.

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Matthew Efird discovers innovation and efficiency in the middle of California's drought.

Andrew Crush raises heritage breed pigs that end up in high-end restaurants in Washington, D.C., and other East Coast cities. (DTN/The Progressive Farmer photo by Jim Patrico)

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Andrew Crush catches the direct-to-consumer tide with sustainably raised heritage pork.

As part of Norris Farms' diverse business, Bo Norris runs 70 Simmental bred heifers and their Angus-mix calves. (DTN/The Progressive Farmer photo by Jim Patrico)

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Bo Norris turned his youthful love for agriculture into a diverse farm and retail fuels business.

Martin Williams is being honored as one of America's Best Young Farmers and Ranchers for his no-till work, adaptability to a sharp learning curve and willingness to share his experiences with other farmers and researchers. (DTN/The Progressive Farmer photo by Jim Patrico)

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Martin Williams put lessons in managing land, money and fickle weather to work in Oklahoma.

Cody Goodknight molds the business strategy of his Oklahoma dryland farm with 3,200 acres of grain crops and cotton, a commercial harvesting branch and a growing cattle enterprise. (DTN/The Progressive Farmer photo by Jim Patrico)

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Cody Goodknight found that one October day changed everything for the farm -- and himself.