Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation can accept 'grain gifts' from farmers who want to support the future of agriculture.
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.
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.
Disclaimer – A donor should always consult with their tax preparer to determine the tax implication prior to making a gift.
All proceeds support programming and events that will expand and grow agriculture’s footprint in the county and encourage youth development in agriculture.
Read More
The Youth Pathways Grant for Careers in Agriculture is accepting applications through Oct. 31, 2023.
Read More
A total of four grants were awarded to county Farm Bureaus in the amount of $5,000 each.
Read More
The 2023 Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation Golf Invitational raised over $100,000 for foundation work that helps enhance agricultural communities and support careers in agriculture.
Read More
Scholarship awards directly impact that purpose of the foundation: to inspire and educate the next generation of agriculture.
Read More
The Yvonne Lesicko Perseverance Prize recognizes groups or individuals working to find innovative solutions to farmer mental health difficulties. Nominations are due July 31, 2023.
Read More
Chrissy Tarrant of Westerville has been named gift accounting specialist for the Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation.
Read More
Annually, the foundation recognizes Ohio students for their academic effort, community engagement and career interests.
Read More
The Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation’s Workforce Development and Ag Literacy Grant Program is helping to promote agriculture education and career development in the state of Ohio, specifically in Brown County.
Read More
Cox explains how the foundation carrying out its mission subsequently impacts the future of agriculture.
Read More
