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County Farm Bureaus and other community organizations are invited to apply for Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation Agriculture Action and Awareness Grants. The competitively awarded grants are designed to support programs and projects focusing on agricultural education, ecological and/or economic development. The program is entering its second year of service.

Grant awards range from a minimum of $1,000 to a maximum of $2,500. Independent producers, individuals and/or community service groups in rural, suburban and/or urban settings are invited to submit proposals. Participants will be selected and awards given in January 2007. All submission requirements are posted at the Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation Web site, www.OFBFoundation.org, or call 614-246-8904. Completed applications are due by 4 p.m. Dec. 1.

Along with awarding Agriculture Action and Awareness Grants, the foundation helps small groups gain better insight and experience in grant planning and solicitation through its Community Grantsmanship program. A team is formed, members identify community needs and recognize assets, resources and support already at hand. The team learns to cooperatively prepare effective proposals to compete for grant awards and additional resources.

"We have a great combination here," said OFB Foundation President Jack Fisher. "We have some funds available for small groups, plus a process that can help them get further involved in grant solicitation and program management. Expanding these services is part of our long-range plan."

Founded in 1985, the Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation is a 501 (c ) (3) not-for-profit, public, charitable organization registered in the state of Ohio. Over the past two decades, the foundation has been involved in a variety of programs focusing on agricultural education, economic research and rural development. Recent projects completed by the foundation include the endowment for the C. William Swank Chair for Agricultural Economics and Rural Development and funding for the new Nationwide – Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center. Both projects are associated with Ohio State University.