By 1808Delaware
The Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation has announced the introduction of the Growing Tomorrow Grant, a new initiative aimed at inspiring and nurturing young agricultural professionals and entrepreneurs. This grant seeks to address the pressing challenges faced by the agricultural sector today while promoting a deeper public understanding of farming and its significant impact on our communities and the nation.
A Vision for the Future of Agriculture
The Growing Tomorrow Grant program is the brainchild of Mike and Patti Boyert. Mike, who serves as the Ohio Farm Bureau northeast regional trustee and is a member of the Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation Board of Directors, along with Patti, vividly recalls the struggles they encountered during the early days of their farming careers in Medina County. This grant program is their way of ensuring that the next generation of farmers has access to opportunities they themselves lacked, enabling these young professionals to alleviate current agricultural difficulties. These challenges include a lack of public education regarding the importance of farms within the U.S. food system and the economic hardships facing rural communities and farm workers.
“We want to pay it forward, get young people started in agriculture that may not be able to, with just a little bit of a start,” Patti Boyert shared. “If they have the commitment, the dedication and are willing to work for it, I’d like to see more young people stay in agriculture and be able to produce a living from agriculture.”
Supporting New and Early-Stage Agricultural Businesses
The Growing Tomorrow Grant aims to provide financial support to new or early-stage agricultural businesses. The grants will focus on the following areas:
- Sustainable Employment Opportunities: Creating long-term, sustainable employment opportunities within Ohio farming communities.
- Educational Initiatives: Enhancing public understanding of agriculture, facilitating farmer-to-farmer learning, and teaching new agricultural methodologies.
- Environmental Stewardship: Promoting agricultural techniques that prioritize environmental sustainability.
- Community Support: Supporting farmers who are actively working to sustain their local communities.
Mike Boyert emphasized the grant’s role in sustaining Ohio’s rural communities. “It gives you an opportunity to promote different educational opportunities (and) a more public understanding of what agriculture is all about. It teaches new and different methodologies centered around our environmental stewardship, and it creates an opportunity for employment in Ohio farm communities.”
Encouraging Young Professionals and Entrepreneurs
Young agricultural professionals and entrepreneurs are encouraged to apply for the Growing Tomorrow Grant, whether they are seeking startup funds for a new business or looking to enhance the impact of an existing business. Grant recipients should have a solid business plan and a sustainable solution addressing one or more of the grant’s focus areas.
For more information and to apply, visit ofb.ag/GrowingTomorrowGrant. The deadline for applications is July 31 at 5:00 PM. For any questions regarding the Growing Tomorrow Grant, please contact the Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation at [email protected].
About Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation
The Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation is dedicated to inspiring and educating the next generation of farmers, ensuring the progress and prosperity of Ohio agriculture well into the future. Through scholarships, programming, and grants, the foundation creates pathways for young people to learn about the variety and viability of careers in agriculture. The foundation aims to build a growing workforce of passionate and prepared farmers ready to strengthen Ohio’s agricultural communities.
