What It Takes to Win the 2026 Grower Achievement Award
June 3, 2020 Each year, American Vegetable Grower® recognizes the growers who are setting the pace for the industry — leaders whose ideas, decisions, and results are shaping how vegetables are grown. Now we’re accepting nominations for the 2026 Grower Achievement Award.
- Is your operation pushing forward with new ideas?
- Do you know a grower who others look to for leadership?
- Is someone in your network raising the bar for quality, efficiency, or innovation?
Then we want to hear from you. Nominations come directly from the industry — growers, suppliers, consultants, and peers who know firsthand who is making a difference on the farm and beyond. From the pool of nominees, finalists may be recognized for their regional impact before one national winner is selected.
The Grower Achievement Award isn’t just recognition — it’s a way to highlight what’s working in real operations today. Each honoree brings ideas other growers can learn from, adapt, and build on.
Submit a nomination using the form below.
What We’re Looking For
Nominees should demonstrate excellences in several of the following areas:
- Industry Leadership. Active involvement in the industry, with a willingness to share knowledge and advocate for agriculture
- Innovative, Consumer-Oriented Marketing. Creative, consumer-focused approaches, including sustainability and community engagement
- Food Quality and Safety. A strong commitment to producing safe, high-quality vegetables
- Technology Adoption. Use of tools and systems that improve efficiency, productivity, or decision-making
Eligibility Requirements:
- Must be a commercial vegetable grower in North America
- Demonstrates innovation and measurable impact
- Shares insights or practices that can benefit other growers
Deadline: June 1, 2026
Questions?
Contact: Carol Miller, [email protected]; 440-602-9207
What to Expect When You Nominate
- The form can be completed quickly, but strong nominations include specific examples and details
- You can nominate your own operation or another grower
- You may wish to gather information in advance for the strongest submission
Recent Grower Achievement National Winners
2025: Aries Haygood, A&M Farms, Lyons, GA
2024: Mark Smith, Smith Farms, Yuma, AZ
2023: Matt McGuire, JV Smith Companies, Yuma, AZ
Past Winners
To date, 15 deserving farms have been called to Washington, DC, to receive American Vegetable Grower’s annual Grower Achievement Award at United Fresh’s Washington Conference. Here is a list of the past recipients. Who will be added for 2018?
2002: A. Duda & Sons, Oviedo, FL
2003: Betteravia Farms, Santa Maria, CA
2004: Michael Farms, Urbana, OH
2005: Gary Shiflett Farms, Deming, NM
2006: Teixeira Farms, Santa Maria, CA
2007: Anthony Farms, Inc., Scandinavia, WI
2008: Lewis Taylor Farms, Tifton, GA
2009: Hansen Farms, Inc., Stanley, NY
2010: Alstede Farms LLC, Chester, NJ
2011: TKM Bengard Farms. LLC, Belle Glade, FL
2012: Steven Lyles Farms, Las Cruces, NM
2013: Torrey Farms, Elba, NY
2014: Sakata Farms, Brighton, CO
2015: Pero Family Farms, Delray Beach, FL
2016: Tasteful Selections, Arvin, CA
2017: Jones Potato Farm, Parrish, FL
2018: Jackson Farming Company, Autryville, NC
2019: J&D Produce, Edinburg, TX
2020: R.C. Hatton Farms, Pahokee, FL
2021: Rothert Farm Inc., Elmore, OH
2022: Lipman Family Farms, Immokalee, FL
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