2026 FreshRoots Directors Cup Application

Directors Cup Award Application

2025 Recipients Video

The FreshRoots Directors Cup presented by the FCI Board of Directors celebrates young and beginning farmers committed to continuous learning and intentional living for a brighter future for their farm family business and community.

Eligibility Requirements

As of January 1, 2026, applicants must:

- be 40 years of age or younger or in their first 10 years of farming
- have been a Farm Credit Illinois member-borrower for at least 3 years (first FCI loan closed 1/1/23 or prior)
- not be a spouse of or a current FCI employee or Board director
- not be a child of a current FCI Board director
- not be a previous recipient or spouse of previous recipient

Married couples applying jointly must each meet all eligibility requirements.

Application Number

Applicant Information

If you are married, will you be applying jointly with your spouse?*

YesNoNot Applicable

Name*

First NameLast Name

Spouse Name*

First NameLast Name

Email*

example@example.com

Spouse Email*

example@example.com

Phone Number*

Area CodePhone Number

Spouse Phone Number*

Area CodePhone Number

Address*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code

County of Residence*

Which FCI office are you affiliated with? *

Date of Birth*

Date

Spouse Date of Birth*

Date

Farm Business Information

Which best describes you?*

Full-time farmerPart-time farmer with an off-farm career

Spouse: Which best describes you?*

Full-time farmerPart-time farmer with an off-farm career

Please describe your off-farm career.

Spouse: Please describe your off-farm career.

What generation farmer do you represent in the farm business?*

Spouse: What generation farmer do you represent in the farm business?

What year did you become an FCI member-borrower?*

What year did you begin your farming career?*

Explain how your farming career began.*

Spouse: Explain how your farming career began.*

Describe your role in the farm business (i.e., owner, partner, manager).*

Spouse: Describe your role in the farm business (i.e., owner, partner, manager).*

Describe the roles and responsibilities of others involved in the farm business (i.e., family involvement or partnerships).*

List and explain three ways you have developed or evolved your farming operation over the past 3-5 years.

1.*

2.*

3.*

What crops or livestock are grown or raised on your farm?*

List any additional agricultural or related business enterprises you operate.

Continuous Learning & Intentional Living

As you pursue intentional living, what are 3-5 life or business philosophies, values, or mantras that serve as a compass as you make decisions and set priorities? (using both applicants if applicable)

1.*

2.*

3.*

4.

5.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Which of the following FCI learning programs have you participated in the past 3 years?

Spouse: Which of the following FCI learning programs have you participated in the past 3 years?

How have you applied the information gained from these FCI learning programs?

Spouse: How have you applied the information gained from these FCI learning programs?

In the past 5 years, list your 3-5 most impactful professional development or personal growth experiences (i.e. formal education, workshops, mentoring or coaching sessions, leadership programs, field trips).

1.*

2.*

3.*

4.

5.

Spouse: In the past 5 years, list your 3-5 most impactful professional development or personal growth experiences (i.e. formal education, workshops, mentoring or coaching sessions, leadership programs, field trips).

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Beyond your farming career, describe how you are shaping a brighter future for your community and industry. (include both applicants if applicable)

Spouse: Beyond your farming career, describe how you are shaping a brighter future for your community and industry.

Share five specific time-based personal, family, or business goals you have set for yourself (include both applicants if applicable).

Spouse: Share five specific time-based personal, family, or business goals you have set for yourself.

Please select your shirt size (unisex sweatshirt)

Spouse: please select your shirt size (unisex sweatshirt)

Farm Showcase Video

Create a 30-45 second video on your phone capturing yourself and one item or place on the farm with special meaning to you and/or your spouse - and that you are proud to share with others. After a quick personal introduction (including your name, hometown, and county), showcase the specific object (i.e. memento, place, project, person, plant, animal) you treasure and describe its personal significance.

UPLOAD YOUR VIDEO: DROPBOX

Video guidelines:

Begin the video by sharing your name, hometown, and county.
Ask a friend or family member to record you holding the phone horizontally. We want to hear your voice, see your face, and view the showcased object.
Video length should be no longer than 45 seconds. Points will be deducted for videos exceeding this length.
Keep it simple and speak from your heart. No fancy editing required.

Uploading to Dropbox:

Click the Dropbox link from the mobile device or computer where the video is saved. Upload the file directly by clicking Add Files, then enter your name and email address before selecting "Upload."
It may take a few minutes for the file to upload. Wait unitl you see the "Finished Uploading" screen before closing the browser or navigating to another app.

If you receive errors submitting the application, consider trying an alternative internet browser (Google Chrome).

Attach a high-quality head and shoulder jpeg photo. Photos of Directors Cup recipients may be used in external publications.*

Choose File

Confirmation of Application

By checking the box, you confirm this application is accurate and complete. If selected as a $5,000 FreshRoots Directors Cup recipient, you agree: 1) Farm Credit Illinois may use the digital images and information provided; 2) to promote the FreshRoots program and participate in an on-farm video interview.

To save your work-in-progress and continue later, click Save at the bottom of the form and follow the prompts to complete the save process.

Once FCI has successfully received your application, you will receive a confirmation at the email address you included in your application. Please contact us at ask@farmcreditIL.com if you didn’t receive the confirmation email in your inbox or spam folder.