Minnesota Farm Bureau member Bryan Boll, owner of Northstar Lime in Crookston, was named a Top 10 finalist in the 2025 Farm Bureau Ag Innovation Challenge as recently announced by the organization.
Northstar Lime was developed as an opportunity to advance a sustainable lime fertilizer while repurposing byproducts. The pellets are created from spent lime from a nearby sugarbeet processing plant. The pelletized lime allows for precise and accurate application, balancing soil pH and enhancing nutrient absorption while also promoting efficiency, sustainability and increased crop productivity.
The American Farm Bureau Federation, in partnership with Farm Credit, continues to elevate the importance of entrepreneurship in agriculture through the contest.
The 10 semi-finalist teams will participate in a virtual pitch round with three judges representing various sectors of the agricultural supply chain. From the group, four finalist teams will be announced on Oct. 17. In addition to receiving $10,000, the finalist teams will have the opportunity to compete at the AFBF Convention on Sunday, Jan. 26 in front of a live audience for a chance at the grand prize.
“New ideas and innovative businesses have continually pushed the boundaries of what’s possible in farming,” said AFBF President Zippy Duvall. “We doubled the prize and the impact for this competition, which helps entrepreneurs grow their ideas into products that support farmers and ranchers in their mission to provide the food, fuel and fiber we all rely on.”
The competition provides an opportunity for individuals to showcase ideas and business innovations in agriculture. This is the 11th year of the Challenge, which was the first national business competition focused exclusively on rural entrepreneurs launching agriculture- and food-related businesses.
In addition to Northstar Lime, the semi-finalist teams are:
Gripp Inc., Indiana
GSR Solutions, Vermont
Halio, Utah
Just-In Traps, Texas
Labby, New York
Padma Agrobotics LLC, Arizona
Poultry Patrol, Iowa
ReEnvision Ag, Iowa
Rhize Bio Inc., North Carolina
Farm Bureau recognizes and supports these rural businesses with generous funding provided by sponsors Farm Credit, Bayer, John Deere, Farm Bureau Bank, Farm Bureau Financial Services and T-Mobile.
To learn more about the Challenge visit fb.org/challenge.
American Farm Bureau news release
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