The Good
Harvest

The Chef of the Year award recognizes an active American chef who demonstrates extraordinary mastery of culinary craft, consistent excellence in their kitchen, and meaningful engagement with the broader food community. This award considers the full picture — from plate to people.

Open to executive chefs, head chefs, and chef-owners actively working in a kitchen anywhere in the United States at time of nomination.

• —Technical skill and culinary artistry
• —Consistency and kitchen leadership
• —Community engagement and mentorship
• —Innovation in American cuisine
• —Overall contribution to the culinary identity of their region

The Farm of the Year award honors a working farm anywhere in the United States that leads with sustainable practices, productive land stewardship, and meaningful contribution to the local food supply. This award celebrates farms that feed people and build community at the same time.

Open to any working farm, ranch, or agricultural operation based in the United States.

• —Sustainable farming practices and soil health
• —Production volume and food access impact
• —Environmental responsibility
• —Community relationships and local partnerships
• —Economic contribution to American agriculture

The Rising Star Chef award celebrates an emerging American culinary talent under 30 years old who is already showing exceptional skill, a distinctive culinary voice, and the kind of drive that signals a long and remarkable career ahead. Bold, rooted, and forward-moving.

Must be 30 years of age or younger and actively working in a kitchen in the United States as of the nomination date.

• —Culinary skill beyond their years
• —Distinctive creative voice and vision
• —Growth trajectory and ambition
• —Community presence and character
• —Potential for long-term impact on American cuisine

The Best New Restaurant award recognizes a restaurant in the United States that opened within the past two years and has already established itself as a standout destination — through its food, its culture, its service, and its contribution to the local dining landscape.

Restaurant must have opened between July 1, 2024 and the nomination deadline. Must be located in the United States.

• —Food quality and menu identity
• —Service experience and hospitality
• —Restaurant culture and atmosphere
• —Community response and early impact
• —Originality and contribution to local dining

The Outstanding Restaurateur award honors the operator, owner, or leader whose vision and execution have built a dining establishment or group that elevates America's culinary landscape — creating not just excellent food, but lasting economic and cultural value.

Open to owners, operators, and co-owners of restaurants or restaurant groups based in the United States.

• —Business vision and operational leadership
• —Staff culture and team investment
• —Community relationships and civic presence
• —Economic impact and longevity
• —Contribution to American dining identity

The Urban Agriculture Award recognizes individuals or organizations operating within city or suburban limits anywhere in the United States who are growing real food, building soil, and expanding access to fresh produce. This award celebrates the power of growing where people live.

Must be operating a farm, garden, or growing operation within a U.S. city or town boundary.

• —Food production volume and quality
• —Community access and food equity impact
• —Sustainability of growing practices
• —Community engagement and education
• —Creative and effective use of urban space

The Agricultural Innovator award honors an individual, farm, or organization that has introduced a breakthrough approach to farming — whether through technology, technique, business model, or environmental practice — that is changing how America grows and feeds people.

Open to individuals, farms, agri-tech companies, cooperatives, or organizations operating in the United States.

• —Innovation impact and originality
• —Scalability and adoption potential
• —Environmental and community benefit
• —Demonstrated measurable results
• —Contribution to America's agricultural future

The Community Food Champion award celebrates an individual or organization that has made food access a mission — working with creativity, courage, and deep community commitment to ensure that more American families have consistent access to quality food.

Open to individuals, nonprofits, community organizations, and food programs operating in the United States.

• —Scale and depth of community impact
• —Innovation in approach to food access
• —Community trust and authentic partnerships
• —Sustainability of the model
• —Personal leadership and commitment

The Farm-to-Table Award recognizes a partnership between an American restaurant and a local farm that exemplifies the best of seasonal, local sourcing. This award honors relationships built on trust, shared values, and a commitment to putting locally grown food on American plates.

Nominations must identify both the restaurant/chef and the farm. Both parties must be based in the United States.

• —Depth and duration of the farm-restaurant relationship
• —Commitment to local and seasonal sourcing
• —Transparency with guests about sourcing practices
• —Mutual economic benefit for both parties
• —Impact on the local food economy

The Food Educator of the Year award honors a teacher, trainer, program leader, or mentor who is actively building food and agricultural literacy in America — whether in a classroom, a kitchen, a field, or a community setting. Their students are building tomorrow's food system.

Open to educators, culinary instructors, agricultural extension professionals, and community program leaders based in the United States.

• —Reach and impact of educational programming
• —Quality and depth of curriculum or training
• —Student and participant outcomes
• —Innovation in teaching or training approach
• —Community and industry recognition

The Young Farmer of the Year award recognizes an American farmer under 35 years old who is already producing food, stewarding land, and contributing to America's agricultural future with exceptional skill and deep commitment to the craft.

Must be 35 years of age or younger and actively farming in the United States as of the nomination date.

• —Farming skill and production results
• —Land stewardship and sustainable practices
• —Community and peer relationships
• —Future ambition and long-term vision
• —Contribution to the next generation of American farming

The Lifetime Achievement Award is the most distinguished recognition we give. It honors an individual whose body of work — spanning a career in food, farming, education, or community service — has shaped America's food and agricultural landscape in ways that will endure for generations.

Open to individuals of any age with a sustained career in American food or farming.

• —Career length and sustained excellence over time
• —Legacy and lasting impact on American food or farming
• —Mentorship and next-generation investment
• —Broad community respect and recognition
• —Innovation and leadership throughout their career