Ohio Farm Bureau Young Ag Professionals groups and Collegiate Farm Bureau groups can obtain funding for local projects, thanks to the support from 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 online and are due Dec. 15. Winners will be recognized during Ohio Farm Bureau’s Winter Leadership Experience Feb. 2-3 in Columbus.

“Participation in our YAP and Collegiate programs is growing,” says Melinda Witten, leadership programming director for Ohio Farm Bureau. “This is the second year for this program, and funding from last year helped our members with projects such as connecting FFA students with young ag professionals, starting new YAP groups and offering scholarships to Farm Bureau events.”

The local grants are part of Farm Credit Mid-America’s financial contribution to Farm Bureau young leader programs in its 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,” says 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.”

Witten adds, “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.”

To learn more about Ohio Farm Bureau’s Young Ag Professionals program and its Collegiate Farm Bureau program, visit experienceyap.com.

Source: OFB