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A new round of almost $25,000 in grants by Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation will help educate consumers about agriculture and energy, develop leaders and provide resources for teachers to teach agriculture in the classroom. The foundation’s Action & Awareness grants are designed to promote and improve Ohio’s agricultural industry as well as local communities. The grants, which ranged from $750 to $9,000, focus on four core areas: economic development, education, environment and the human-animal bond.

Grant recipients and projects:

AgriPOWER to support programming for the 17 members in Class XII. An elite leadership program created by Ohio Farm Bureau, AgriPOWER is helping develop and train Ohio farmers and representatives from agricultural stakeholders to become effective leaders, spokespersons and advocates for agriculture. Seven AgriPOWER Institutes are held throughout the year with one in Washington, D.C., and the other in another state. 

Ohio Soybean Council for its Ag Bio-Technology Academy 2020. In June, 30 teachers will participate in a two-workshop designed to promote agriculture careers and provide hands-on, inquiry-based programming focused on integrating an ag bioscience curriculum into high school science classrooms. Teachers will meet agricultural experts in the field and visit various agriculture industries. Each teacher will receive an electrophoresis intro kit.

Ohio Energy Project to sponsor educators participating in its professional development workshops, the Energy Sources Tour and Energy Sources Blitz. These programs give teachers behind-the-scenes access to the energy industry by visiting sites involved with the production, generation and distribution of energy around Ohio, as well as the environmental and economic impact of energy use. Teachers receive classroom lessons, curriculum and lab equipment.

Ohio Corn Marketing Program to support professional development of 35 Ohio science teachers participating in a two-day “Feed the World” workshop. Teachers will learn about modern agriculture practices in ethanol production, water quality and soil science. Each teacher will receive $350 of supplies to conduct labs in their classrooms.

Northwest State Community College Fund for two summer camps that will expand the knowledge of agriculture among northwest Ohio youth. The camps will teach students the fundamentals of agricultural science and its impact in their daily lives, provide information about careers in agriculture and promote mentor ship and networking between youth and local agricultural businesses.

Summit County Farm Bureau for its annual Farmers Share Breakfast, which typically draws more than 700 people who enjoy breakfast on a farm and hear from local farmers about where their food originates. Two free healthy soil seminars will be held and a canned food drive will help local food banks.

Hopewell to support its farm life program for adults with serious mental illness. Residents care for and work with a variety of farm animals on the 300-acre working farm in Mesopotamia. Hopewell is the only residential therapeutic farm community in Ohio and one of only five in the United States.

This is a news release for use by journalists. Questions should be directed to Chris Baker, 614-246-8275.