ROCKINGHAM COUNTY, VA (Virginia Farm Bureau) — Sarah Craun of Rockingham County was named the 2025 Virginia Farm Bureau Federation Outstanding Young Agriculturalist on July 26 during the VFBF Young Farmers Summer Expo in Franklin County.

The recognition program is organized by the VFBF Young Farmers Committee and honors high school juniors and seniors for academic, community and agribusiness achievements.

Craun is the daughter of Patti and Kevin Craun. She graduated from Turner Ashby High School and has held various leadership roles in 4-H and FFA, including serving as national and state 4-H youth livestock ambassador; secretary and vice president of Rockingham Federation FFA; vice president of the Keezletown 4-H club; advisory committee youth representative and 9th grade vice president of the Turner Ashby FFA Chapter; treasurer of the Massanutten Technical Center FFA Chapter; Rockingham 4-H and FFA steering committee and steer subcommittee youth representative; and president, secretary and reporter for the Rockingham 4-H Dairy Club.

She also was recently named the Virginia FFA State Star Farmer, winner of the Virginia FFA State Beef Production Entrepreneurship Proficiency Award, and awarded first place for public speaking at the Virginia FFA State Convention.

In addition to her various leadership roles and accolades, Craun has been an active member in many clubs and organizations, including the Virginia Junior Sheep Breeders Association, Virginia Junior Angus Association and New Beginnings Church Youth Group. She also served as secretary, treasurer, photo contest co-chair and director of the Virginia Junior Holstein Association.

Craun and her sister, Rachel, are the fourth generation on their family’s poultry and row crop farm in Mount Crawford. From managing her own cow-calf herd to assisting with the farm’s poultry and crop production, she’s cultivated extensive farming experience and a lifelong passion for agriculture. She also applies her strong work ethic to her grandfather’s farm, friend’s turkey operation, and part-time role as retail clerk in the feed and agricultural division of Rockingham Cooperative.

When she wasn’t busy with school, extracurricular activities and myriad farm responsibilities, she was exhibiting dairy cattle, beef cattle, pigs and sheep at the local, state and national levels. She’s also served as a trusted resource for judging county market animal shows and coaching area juniors at the Judge Like A Champion Livestock Judging Camp.

Craun is excited to begin her collegiate judging career at Blinn College in Brenham, Texas. After obtaining her associate’s degree, she plans to transfer to Kansas State University to pursue a degree in animal science and minor in biology and expand her cow-calf herd after graduation. She hopes to eventually work in the livestock pharmaceutical industry and develop sustainable solutions to animal health challenges.

Outstanding Young Agriculturalist applicants are judged based on academics, general leadership, farm or agricultural experience and an oral presentation.

During her presentation, Craun discussed how she’s developed invaluable resilience, courage and determination through the “highs and lows” of farming. From grieving the loss of beloved livestock to encountering reproductive hurdles in her herd, she learned to overcome obstacles, maintain positivity and pivot to achieve her goals.

Craun expressed her excitement for networking and connecting with fellow applicants, judges and young farmers throughout the competition process. She found the opportunities for reflection especially valuable.

“From showing livestock when I was only 4 years old to standing here today, it really feels like my hard work has paid off,” she reflected. “This is a very inspiring moment for me, and I really hope to give back to this industry that’s given me so much.”

As the Outstanding Young Agriculturalist winner, Craun will receive a travel package to the 2025 VFBF Annual Convention in Williamsburg in December. While there, she will have the opportunity to share her presentation with about 600 Farm Bureau members.

She also will receive a $1,500 scholarship sponsored by Farm Credit, Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance Co. and Virginia Farm Bureau.