Soybeans in field

Agronomist and sales specialist Vince Willman with Sunrise Cooperative had been asked to help fulfill a special request in 2020.

A farmer in Seneca County wanted to make a donation to benefit several areas of need within the community, including a gift to the Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation benefiting the Yvonne Lesicko Memorial Fund. However, he wanted to do it in a unique way.

The farmer, who wishes to remain anonymous, wanted to donate a “gift a grain” from his soybean crops.

He turned to Willman and the co-op to help in the endeavor. It was Willman’s job to make sure the donation, dubbed the “charity beans,” was able to be as successful as possible in order to get the most money out of them for the gifts.

While the project the farmer and Sunrise did together was a little unique, the idea of a “gift of grain” is not. It is another way to give back and support Ohio agriculture through the Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation, said Kelly Burns, executive director of the foundation.

“It is a simple way to make a lasting difference,” she said. “The value of the grain can be used to support the future of Ohio agriculture.”

Burns noted that by giving grain, farmers avoid including the sale of the grain in their farm income. “Although a charitable income tax deduction is generally not available to those who donate, the avoidance of declaring it as income may be a significant benefit,” she said.

A before-tax contribution

The tax benefit was an attractive aspect to the donation, the donor said.

“It’s a really simple and efficient way to make a gift,” he said. “It is a before-tax contribution. You get the most out of your donated dollars.”

A farmer who wishes to donate a gift of grain will need to decide how he or she would like the donation to be used, Burns said.

“It is important that you contact the Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation to discuss your gift intentions and to follow the proper steps to make this type of gift,” she said.

The farmer who donated the gift of grain to the Yvonne Lesicko Memorial Fund said giving back is the goal.

“My mother taught me that the two most important things about money are how we get it and what we do with it when we have it.”

Once your obligations are taken care of, he said, you give some to those who need it.

How it works
  • Farmer contacts the Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation to discuss their specific gift intentions. Contact Kelly Burns, [email protected] or 614-246-8275.
  • Farmer delivers grain to the elevator.
  • Farmer asks the elevator to transfer a certain number of bushels to the Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation.
  • Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation authorizes sale and collects proceeds.
  • Farmer includes production expenses on tax return but not the sale of gifted bushels. The farmer does not take a charitable contribution itemized deduction on the amount of the sale.

Disclaimer – A donor should always consult with their tax preparer to determine the tax implication prior to making a gift.

The issue of property taxation remains as one of the biggest challenges our members face today. Ensuring agricultural property is valued for its agricultural potential and not development is critical to the continued success of Ohio agriculture.
Matt Aultman's avatar
Matt Aultman

Darke County Farm Bureau

Giving farmers a voice
The plan we are on is great. It’s comparable to my previous job's plan, and we are a sole proprietor.
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Kevin Holy

Geauga County Farm Bureau

Ohio Farm Bureau Health Benefits Plan
I could not have done it without the resources I have found through Farm Bureau.
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Gretchan Francis

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We really appreciate what Farm Bureau has done to get people interested in this line of work and workforce development and getting people interested in this industry.
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Jody Brown Boyd

Brown's Family Farm Market

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We work terrifically with the Ashtabula County Farm Bureau, hosting at least one to two outreach town hall events every year to educate new farmers and existing farmers on traditional CAUV and woodlands.
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David Thomas

Ashtabula County Auditor

CAUV: Past, present and future
Because we are younger farmers just starting out, Farm Bureau has a lot of good opportunities and resources to help us grow in the future.
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Hannah Kiser

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Farm Bureau involvement
Through the Select Partner program, we became educated in farm insurance and weren't just selling policies. It became more and more clear why farmers need an advocate like Ohio Farm Bureau.
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Chad Ruhl

Farm manager, CSI Insurance

Select Partner Program
So many of the issues that OFBF and its members are advocating for are important to all Ohioans. I look at OFBF as an agricultural watchdog advocating for farmers and rural communities across Ohio.
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Mary Smallsreed

Trumbull County Farm Bureau

Advocacy
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