The Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation recently awarded its Workforce Development & Ag Literacy Grants, a funding opportunity that is exclusively for county Farm Bureaus.
A total of four grants were awarded to county Farm Bureaus in the amount of $5,000 each. This funding may be used for new education programs or to expand existing programs that focus on sixth grade through 12th grade.
Included in the four grantees was the Holmes County Farm Bureau for its All In for Life Skills Camp and Job Expo.
This event combines three existing programs into one to offer better value for students and industry partners. This new program combines the Life Skills Camp with the community Job Expo and West Holmes FFA’s All-In Week. Together, this program will offer sessions for both high schools in Holmes County including life skills, personal development and community involvement.
They also will offer students the opportunity to attend the Job & Family Services Job Expo, which offers local businesses the chance to teach students about career opportunities through hands-on activities.
Workforce Development & Ag Literacy Grants support agriculture-related programming that enhances agricultural literacy efforts while creating pathways for young people to learn about the variety and viability of careers in agriculture.
“Helping to open students’ eyes to the variety of opportunities that await them in agriculture as they seek their career path is essential to the success of the ever-important farm and food industry,” said Kelly Burns, executive director of the Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation. “These county-level programs that introduce young people to agriculture will ensure the next generation of workforce fully understands the vast amount of educational and employment possibilities within our food system.”
Other grants went to Clermont County Farm Bureau’s School to Farm Sustainable Agriculture Workforce Development, Muskingum County Farm Bureau’s Farm Fresh Pop-Up Learning Market and Pike County Farm Bureau’s Life of a Real Farmer.
The Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, understands the need to inspire innovation and cultivate investment in Ohio’s farm and food community. Learn more by visiting www.ohiofarmbureau.org/foundation.
