COLUMBUS, Ohio — Smaller, community-based groups across the state will be getting a boost this year from the Ohio Farm Bureau (OFBF) Foundation’s Agricultural Action and Awareness Grants, which are competitively awarded to support programs and projects focusing on agricultural education, ecological and economic development.<br>
“This is our third year for awarding Agricultural Action and Awareness Grants, and the program is growing,” Foundation Director Dale Arnold said.<br>
This year’s group of 12 recipients joins an inaugural group of seven community organizations in 2006 and eight programs in 2007.
“The number of initial grant proposals received has grown annually, too,” Arnold explained. “We received less than 20 applications in 2006, and over 50 for 2008.”<br>
The Foundation received requests from schools and a variety of local service agencies, organizations, trusts and nonprofit groups. Proposals came from rural, suburban and urban communities statewide.<br>
The dozen grant recipients include “Agriculture Meets Educators and Urban Dwellers,” coordinated by Bob Stoll and Logan County Soil and Water Conservation District of Bellefontaine; the Agriculture and Natural Resource Conservation Expo, coordinated by the Carroll County Soil and Water Conservation District of Carrollton; an “Agricultural Field Trip Without the Bus,” coordinated by Rita Lahmers and Newcomerstown Exempted Village Schools; the Chesterhill Produce Auction Enhancement Program; “Green Thumbs and Dirty Hands,” coordinated by Girl Scouts of Maumee Valley Council, of Toledo; OWL Camp Ag Awareness classes, coordinated by Ohio Wesleyan University of Delaware, Ohio; Ripley Farmers’ Market’s Certified Kitchen Project in Ripley; the SouthPointe Farmers’ Market Development, coordinated by the Children’s Hunger Alliance of Columbus; “Images for the Land-A Concert,” coordinated by the Shelby County Farm Bureau; and Farm Market Expansion for Participants in Federal Assistance Programs, coordinated by the Springfield Farmer’s Market.<br>
Additionally, Crossroads Resource Conservation and Development Council of New Philadelphia received two grants – one for its Agricultural Leadership Program and one for its Eastern Ohio Apiculture project.<br>
“The Foundation will continue efforts to expand our grant program. We’re continuing to set goals increasing the number of annual awards given, and are looking at increasing grant amounts,” Foundation President Jack Fisher said.<br>
“However, one objective will not change: Our Agriculture Action and Awareness Grants will continue to focus on funding needs for smaller, community-based groups that often find the larger-scale, public and private grant solicitation process daunting.”<br>
Grants amounts ranged from $1,000 to each of the 12 programs.
“We have another program that follows this theme, too – small groups wanting to gain better insight and experience in the whole grant planning and solicitation process can participate in our Community Grantsmanship program,” Fisher said.<br>
Community Grantsmanship helps individuals and small groups form leadership teams, accurately identify community issues and needs, recognize assets, resources and support already at hand and prepare effective proposals to compete for grant awards and additional resources. Foundation staff members administer the program.<br>
“We feel we have a great combination here,” Fisher said. “We have a source of funding available for small groups, plus a process that can help them get further involved in grant solicitation, funding and program management. We plan to expand these service programs for the future.”<br>
Founded in 1985, the OFBF Foun-dation is a not-for-profit, public, charitable organization.<br>
During the past two decades it has been involved in a variety of programs focusing on agricultural education, economic research and rural development.<br>
More information on all projects can be obtained at www.OFBFoundation.org