Foundation receives $10,000 donation from campaign
The campaign ran in Champaign, Clark, Fayette, Greene, Madison, Miami and Montgomery counties to benefit the Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation.
Read MoreFarm life can be demanding and stressful, and the mental health challenges that come with it is an ongoing problem. Ohio Farm Bureau has been a part of many initiatives to raise mental health awareness and reduce stigma surrounding the issue in rural communities. Yvonne Lesicko, former Ohio Farm Bureau vice president of public policy who died unexpectedly in June 2020, was one of the leaders who helped to create the state’s “Got Your Back” farm stress coalition.
The Yvonne Lesicko Memorial Fund was created last year to recognize her life and career. The fund, within the Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation, was established to support the causes and initiatives that she cared so deeply about, including farmer mental health. To date, due to the generosity of more than 300 donors, the fund has raised more than $80,000.
The Yvonne Lesicko Perseverance Prize, the “Y Prize” for short, is a new award created by the fund. This award will be used to recognize groups or individuals working to find innovative solutions to farmer mental health issues, including addressing issues of access to resources, lessening of stigma around mental health issues and collaborating among health care, rural medicine and agriculture groups.
“We hope the Y Prize can provide recognition and a ‘thank you’ to groups and individuals working to advance this cause,” said Kelly Burns, executive director of the Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation.
The Y Prize award winner, and the program or work he or she represents, will be given a platform to share their work and efforts. As part of the award, Ohio Farm Bureau will feature the award winner in membership and outside media, and the Young Ag Professionals Winter Leadership Experience will feature the award as part of the conference program. All of this is part of the award’s goal of lessening the stigma surrounding mental health issues.
Check back for 2022 nomination information.
The campaign ran in Champaign, Clark, Fayette, Greene, Madison, Miami and Montgomery counties to benefit the Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation.
Read MoreThe 2024 Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation Golf Invitational raised over $110,000 for foundation scholarships, grants and programs that help enhance agricultural communities and support careers in agriculture.
Read MoreThe 2024 Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation Golf Invitational takes place June 24 at Scioto Reserve Country Club in Powell.
Read MoreAnnually, the foundation recognizes Ohio students for their academic effort, community engagement and career interests that link agriculture to community service, education, or scientific research.
Read MoreThe Growing Tomorrow Grant will provide grants to new or early-stage agricultural businesses. Applications are due July 31.
Read MoreThis transformative day of exploration was made possible by the Youth Pathways Grant for Careers in Agriculture, a signature program of the Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation.
Read MoreThe program is the brainchild of Mike and Patti Boyert, who are ready to help the next generation of young people get started in agriculture.
Read MoreThis position is created for an active Young Ag Professional member who has a passion for fundraising and is interested in further developing their leadership skills. Apply by May 3.
Read MoreThrough 14 scholarship funds, nearly 50 awards will be made to deserving students. The deadline to apply online is March 31.
Read MoreAmy McCormick is a communications leader for Kroger and incoming president of the Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation.
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