COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio Farm Bureau Young Ag Professionals groups and Collegiate Farm Bureau groups can obtain funding for local projects thanks to the generous support of Farm Credit Mid-America.
Eight local YAP groups and two Collegiate Farm Bureau groups will be awarded $500 grants for educational programming or events. Applications for the grants can be submitted at ofb.ag/yaplocalgrants17 and are due March 31.
“Participation in our YAP and Collegiate programs is growing, and this support from Farm Credit will help our members accomplish some great things in their local communities,” said Melinda Witten, leadership programming director for Ohio Farm Bureau.
The local grants are a part of Farm Credit Mid-America’s $100,000 donation to Farm Bureau young leader programs in their four-state region of Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky and Tennessee. A portion of the funds donated to Ohio is being used for the local grants program.
“Our purpose is to secure the future of rural communities and agriculture,” said Jonathan Carter, assistant vice president of Farm Credit’s young and beginning farmer program. “Since Farm Bureau’s YAP and Collegiate programs are similar in mission and values to ours, we felt we could really support their efforts and work together in helping develop leadership skills with those who desire a future in agriculture.”
“We want to thank Farm Credit Mid-America for their great support of our programs for young adults and college students. Their involvement helps ensure we’ll be able to grow our next generation of farm and food leaders,” Witten said.
The local grants program is a new opportunity for YAP and Collegiate groups and was announced during the 2017 YAP Winter Conference Feb. 3 – 4 in Columbus.
To learn more about Ohio Farm Bureau’s Young Ag Professionals program and its Collegiate Farm Bureau program, experienceyap.com.
— Ohio Farm Bureau Federation