Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation awards nearly $60,000 in scholarships
Annually, the foundation recognizes Ohio students for their academic effort, community engagement and career interests.
Read MoreCox explains how the foundation carrying out its mission subsequently impacts the future of agriculture.
Jenny Cox of Dresden is president of the Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation board of directors in 2023. She also currently serves as southeast regional trustee for the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation and is a long-time board member of both boards.
Cox is the communications director at Bickle Farm Solutions, and she and her husband, Jared, own Cox Seed Sales. They also own and operate a family farm, where they raise corn, soybeans and wheat in Muskingum and Coshocton counties.
Our Ohio caught up with Cox to ask how the foundation carrying out its mission subsequently impacts agriculture.
Q: What are the pillars that make up the essence of the foundation, and why is each one critical to the mission of supporting future ag careers?
The foundation has a three-pronged approach to inspiring interest in and commitment to agriculture – innovative programming, such as our signature science program, ExploreAg, for high school students, as well as numerous scholarships for students entering into agriculture or related fields, and grants to nonprofit organizations, county Farm Bureaus and programs advancing agricultural education.
Participation in any of these aspects of the foundation serves as great exposure to agriculture but also serves as a gateway into Ohio Farm Bureau as a whole. One in eight jobs in Ohio are related to food and agriculture. As the demands for employees to fill these roles increase, we want to do our part to cultivate the next generation of workers to grow their careers in agriculture.
Q: How do you track success?
The simple answer would be to track quantitative metrics such as dollars raised by the foundation, participants at our annual golf outing, increased sponsorships, or attendance at our ExploreAg camps. However, the most rewarding measures of success are the stories of the lives that have been impacted by the foundation. For example:
Q: What does the next chapter in the development of the foundation look like?
It is such an exciting time to be a part of the foundation board. First and foremost, the opportunity to work with and get to know some of these young students – whether it is through networking at an ExploreAg camp or reading about all of their accomplishments and activities through reviewing scholarship applications – is incredibly rewarding. The stories and successes of these young people confirm to me that the future of agriculture is bright.
However, I would be remiss if I didn’t talk about the opportunity to work alongside this amazing board. The foundation board is made up of 16 members who are all connected to agriculture and youth development but in very different ways. At every single meeting, committee event, foundation program, or chance encounter – I learn something new from every single foundation board member. Of course none of this would happen without our amazing donors who make the work of the foundation possible through their annual contributions.
Annually, the foundation recognizes Ohio students for their academic effort, community engagement and career interests.
Read MoreThe 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 MoreCox explains how the foundation carrying out its mission subsequently impacts the future of agriculture.
Read MoreOn this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast, we get a Foundation Update as we talk scholarship deadlines, upcoming ExploreAg camps and more. Plus, learn about a grain and oilseed outlook webinar exclusively for Farm Bureau members.
Read MoreJenny Cox was named president; Amy McCormick was named first vice president; Nathan Brown was named 2nd vice president; and Chris Weaver will serve as the foundation’s treasurer.
Read MoreOhio Farm Bureau’s signature ag literacy and workforce development program, ExploreAg, will once again be offering free weeklong camps and one-day experiences for high school students in 2023.
Read MoreThrough 14 scholarship funds, nearly 50 awards will be made to deserving students. The deadline to apply online is March 31.
Read MoreIn his online search for information related to a career in food science, Jayden Porter found Ohio Farm Bureau’s ExploreAg program.
Read MoreNov. 29 is Giving Tuesday, a national day of philanthropy. Help support the next generation of Ohio farmers.
Read MoreA $25,000 gift from The Kroger Co. serves as a match for the upcoming national day of philanthropy Nov. 29.
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