BRENTWOOD, Tenn. — Thousands of 4-H youth from across the country will experience valuable hands-on learning opportunities as a result of Tractor Supply’s Paper Clover Campaign. The biannual fundraiser, held in partnership with National 4-H Council, collectively raised $1,999,661 in 2018 through donations made with purchases in store and online.

Most recently, Tractor Supply raised more than $1 million as a result of its Fall Paper Clover event from Oct. 3-14, marking the most successful fundraiser in the company’s history. Tractor Supply customers participated in Paper Clover by purchasing paper clovers – the emblem of 4-H – for a donation during checkout at stores nationwide or through purchases made online at TractorSupply.com

Fundraising efforts from the Paper Clover event fund scholarships for numerous state-level 4-H programs nationwide, and every donation benefits youth within the state it was collected. Scholarships are used for camps and leadership conferences, where attendees learn everything from animal care and woodworking to networking practices and civic responsibility.

“Thanks to our partnership with Tractor Supply Company, its team members and the communities it serves, Paper Clover provides more youth with opportunities to learn by doing, something that is vital to the development of their passions and interests,” said Jennifer Sirangelo, president and CEO of National 4-H Council.

The 2018 Fall Paper Clover event rounds out the ninth year of the campaign. The fundraiser has collectively generated more than $14.9 million in essential funding to date. The campaign will return to Tractor Supply in the spring of 2019. For more information on the program, visit www.TractorSupply.com/4H

CHS Foundation awards cooperative education grants

INVER GROVE HEIGHTS, Minn. — The CHS Foundation, funded by charitable gifts from CHS, Inc., announced it has awarded more than $440,000 in cooperative education grants to projects that will help students learn about the cooperative business model and what makes cooperatives unique.

In 2018, more than 20 grants were awarded to 15 organizations supporting next-generation-focused projects. There was a new emphasis on projects that reach the next generation of cooperative leaders using fresh, innovative concepts and incorporate new technology.

As a result, the CHS Foundation partnered with the National Assoc. of Agriculture Educators on a new initiative, My Local Cooperative. The initiative puts agriculture teachers in the driver's seat, helping teach students about cooperatives through a series of testimonials, videos and virtual fieldtrips; learn more at www.naae.org/MyLocalCooperative

The CHS Foundation supported cooperative camps in conjunction with National Farmers Union and seven state farmers unions. Additional cooperative education projects were supported with long-term partners such as the Assoc. of Cooperative Educators, Cooperative Development Foundation, Cooperative Network and the Ralph K. Morris Foundation.

Old Trail School, Countryside start Farm Project partnership

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BATH, Ohio — Old Trail School and Countryside have announced a new partnership known as the Farm Project, which has several key goals including creating hands-on educational and curriculum development opportunities for the school, raising crops and livestock and composting and aquaculture.

It will also focus on raising produce and eggs for use by the school’s kitchen, instructing and inspiring beginning farmers to become members of a resilient, sustainable food system, supporting farms within Cuyahoga Valley National Park and involving members of the public in educational opportunities.

This partnership was announced on the spot of the school’s future Outdoor Classroom, to be constructed in 2019. It operated an 11-acre organic farm on this site from 2013-16 in partnership with Hattie Larlham, and has been seeking a new partner since 2016 when Hattie Larlham discontinued its “Hattie’s Gardens” program.

The Farm Project will include crop and livestock production as well as the school’s existing composting and apiary programs. The school’s executive chef will work closely with Countryside’s Farm Educator to determine which products are needed to supply the school’s lunch program. Any extra produce or eggs will be donated to local nonprofits.

Old Trail School is an independent, coeducational day school for students aged 2 through eighth grade. For more information, visit www.oldtrail.org

STUDENTS AND ADULTS work together during a special event on Oct. 6 announcing the Farm Project partnership at Old Trail School.

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Ceres Solutions announces 2019 scholarship applications

WABASH, Ind. — In its continuing effort to support youth pursuing careers in agriculture, Ceres Solutions will offer $25,000 through scholarships to high school seniors and college students this spring. Students receiving the scholarships are selected based on their commitment to agricultural youth programs and their desire to pursue higher education.

“Our employee group and our board of directors strongly believe in investing in education and, in particular, it is a privilege to support students from the local farm families we serve," says Jeff Troike, Ceres Solutions Cooperative CEO. "Students who are passionate about agriculture and demonstrate leadership will be the best advocates of our industry in the years to come. In fact, they can expect we'll be working to recruit them to join the Ceres Solutions workforce in the future."

Views and opinions: Tractor Supply’s Paper Clovers raise nearly $2M for 4-H 

Selection criteria emphasizes involvement in agricultural youth groups such as 4-H and FFA. Students must be children or grandchildren of current cooperative members or employees of the cooperative to apply for the high school scholarships. They must be entering their freshman year of college in 2019.

Since committing to offering a scholarship program, it is estimated Ceres and its predecessor co-ops have provided more than $225,000 in funding to local students. Those interested in applying for these scholarships or learning more about Ceres Solutions should visit the website at www.ceres.coop or contact David Smith at 800-992-3495, ext. 279. Completed scholarship forms must be submitted by March 1, 2019.