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by Annie Cunningham

Ohio Farm Bureau Federation (OFBF) is providing county Farm Bureaus with the opportunity to contribute to the Ohio 4-H Center.

OFBF is asking counties to donate 50 cents per member for five years for the $12 million state-of-the-art facility. The fund-raising campaign was kicked-off March 9 and several county Farm Bureaus have already made a contribution. To date Ashland, Franklin, Wayne, Medina and Pickaway County Farm Bureaus have pledged assistance.

"These counties are leading the way, and our hats go off to them," said Jack Fisher, OFBF executive vice president. "Along with our partners at Nationwide, Ohio Farm Bureau and the county Farm Bureaus will help create an outstanding facility that our young people will enjoy for years to come."

The Ohio 4-H Center will be a facility for youth, adult volunteers, community organizations and all other Ohio State University (OSU) partners. The center will serve as the home of Ohio 4-H and provide research, teaching resources and service opportunities. The center will house flexible multi-purpose space for hands-on program opportunities for youth and volunteers, educational conference and classroom facilities, and premier technology that will link the Ohio 4-H Center to Ohio’s 88 counties, the nation and the world.

Nationwide and OFBF pledged a combined $3 million challenge grant, matching $1 for every $2 raised by 4-H members and volunteers. This is in addition to an initial pledge of $1 million from OFBF and $2 million from Nationwide.

"Ohio Farm Bureau has a long history of leadership development and training for our young people and future leaders through Farm Bureau youth, youth camps and young farmers," said Terry McClure, OFBF president. "The Ohio Farm Bureau board recognized the Ohio 4-H Center as a great way to enhance our youth and young leader program for years to come, and we are proud to support this activity."

Located on the OSU campus in a stand-alone facility, the 4-H youth development center will establish greater visibility as the primary youth outreach component. There are currently more than 286,000 youth and more than 30,000 volunteers involved in Ohio 4-H programs. Groundbreaking is set for Sept. 6.