MARLBOROUGH, Mass. — The Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation (MFBF) is now accepting applications for its first-ever, non-traditional membership scholarship, which is available by clicking here. The intent of this scholarship program is to receive input into the organization’s policy development program from commercial farmers who are not traditionally members. Examples of non-traditional members include urban farmers, new entry farmers, immigrant farmers and more.
“Farm Bureau membership has always been open to everyone, however, one of the biggest barriers to joining can be approaching a group of people where you know no one,” said MFBF President Mark Amato. “By creating this scholarship program and in turn a cohort program for the recipients, we hope to break down those walls and introduce non-traditional members to our current members in an environment where the new people are comfortable. In turn, we hope to see the scholarship recipients bring in other, non-traditional members to provide input on our policy process and expand our membership.”
Scholarship recipients will receive a scholarship membership into the organization (valued at $225) for one year and will be expected to complete an orientation webinar, a mid-year survey, and participate in one county-level policy event.
“The feedback that we get during the Farm Bureau policy development process can have national impact,” Amato said. “We need all types of farmers involved in this process and value all input. I’m looking forward to seeing this scholarship bring new ideas to the table.”
The deadline to apply is July 31, 2021, and applications will be reviewed by a committee of MFBF board of directors. This scholarship was made possible through a grant from American Farm Bureau Federation.
–Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation
For more articles out of New England, click here.