The Virginia Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmers Committee honored Jason Thurman of Franklin County with its 2025 Warren Beach Award for his contributions to the VFBF Young Farmers Program.
Thurman is president of Franklin County Farm Bureau and was recognized for his invaluable mentorship to the Collegiate Young Farmers’ Ferrum College chapter, and his support of the Young Farmers Program.
“As a mentor, he’s poured wisdom into countless young farmers,” said Jonathan Irragi, District 4 representative on the state Young Farmers Committee and a close friend of Thurman’s. “He’s built a bridge between classroom and cow pasture, ensuring our future leaders have the tools to succeed. Even as he’s stepped into greater roles, Jason has stayed interested and engaged in all things Young Farmers—always ready to encourage the next generation of farmers with his energy and insight.”
Thurman was honored Dec. 3 during the 2025 VFBF Annual Convention in Williamsburg. The Warren Beach Award is named for a veteran Farm Bureau leader whose support of young farmers is legendary.
Thurman has inspired the next generation of farmers and leaders through connecting with the Franklin County High School FFA and the Ferrum College Young Farmers Collegiate program. He spearheaded the creation of the Ferrum College Agriculture Club, and provides ongoing guidance, support and resources to ensure the club and its student members continue to thrive. Known for taking young farmers under his wing, Thurman brings them to Farm Bureau meetings and shares his insight to help them understand the organization’s inner workings while ensuring they have tools to succeed.
Thurman also was instrumental in the success of the 2025 Young Farmers Summer Expo. When the 2025 Young Farmers Winter Expo was canceled due to inclement weather, Thurman’s ingenuity and leadership pivoted programming to the Summer Expo, turning it into one of the most energized and well-attended expos in VFBF history.
“He’s extremely dedicated to Farm Bureau and Young Farmers, and the event wouldn’t have happened without him,” said Thomas Henley, VFBF Young Farmers Committee chair. “He’s one of the humblest, down-to-earth people and will do anything to help young farmers at the drop of a hat.”
In addition to serving as county Farm Bureau president, Thurman is chair of Franklin County Farm Bureau’s AgPAC and Budget Planning committees and serves on several other committees. Prior to being elected president, he was the Franklin County Farm Bureau vice president and county Young Farmers chair for several years. Additionally, he served as District 4 representative on the state Young Farmers Committee from 2012-2016 and served two years as vice chair.
Outside of Farm Bureau, Thurman serves on the Franklin County Agriculture Development Committee board and Franklin County Cattlemen’s Association board.
A lifelong farmer, Thurman lives in Rocky Mount where he and his family operate Lazy Acres Farm, a cow-calf operation specializing in producing purebred Angus bulls and quality genetics.
With almost 137,000 members in 88 county Farm Bureaus, VFBF is Virginia’s largest farmers’ advocacy group. Farm Bureau is a non-governmental, nonpartisan, voluntary organization committed to supporting Virginia’s agriculture industry.
View more convention news as it becomes available at vafb.com/convention, and follow us on social media via #VFBF25 .
Contact Kathy Dixon, assistant director of communications, at 804-370-3055.
