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The Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation is proud to announce a partnership with Farm Credit Mid-America to sustain its Growing Tomorrow Grant. The grant aims to inspire, encourage and nurture young agricultural professionals and entrepreneurs as they develop innovative solutions facing agriculture.

“The excitement young people have to get involved in agriculture is often met with an equally daunting list of challenges to get started, with financial hurdles often topping that list,” said Kelly Burns, executive director of the Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation. “The idea of the Growing Tomorrow Grant is to lessen that financial burden and give young farmers and entrepreneurs an opportunity to transform their enthusiasm into a true opportunity of a lifetime. The generous funding provided by Farm Credit Mid-America will help transform their enthusiasm into a rewarding career in agriculture that, in turn, impacts the communities in which they live.”

The Growing Tomorrow Grant, which launched earlier this year, was created by Ohio Farm Bureau Northeast Regional Trustee and Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation Board of Directors Member Mike Boyert and his wife, Patti. Their vision is to empower young farmers and agribusiness professionals to develop creative and transformative agricultural solutions, strengthen public understanding of agriculture, and ensure the sustainability and vitality of agricultural communities.

Farm Credit Mid-America has committed $250,000 over the next five years to support the grant and help it achieve its vision. 

“Farm Credit Mid-America recognizes that securing the future of rural communities and agriculture requires investments that support the next generation of agricultural leaders and innovators,” said Senior Vice President of Agricultural Lending and Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation Board Member Melanie Strait Bok. “Initiatives like the Growing Tomorrow Grant support young people who have taken the initiative to launch their own agricultural businesses. By providing funding and resources for their innovative ideas, we help shape the future of agriculture, remove barriers, and bring creative solutions to life.” 

The Growing Tomorrow Grant provides grants to new or early-stage agricultural businesses. Grants focus on supporting, among other activities:

• The creation of long-term sustainable employment opportunities within Ohio farming communities.
• Educational opportunities to enable better public understanding of agriculture, help farmers learn from each other, and teach new and different agricultural methodologies.
• Businesses that use or demonstrate the viability of agricultural techniques that center on environmental stewardship.
• Farmers actively working to support and sustain the communities in which they live.

Young professionals and entrepreneurs who are looking to secure startup funds for a new business can get more information by visiting ofb.ag/GrowingTomorrowGrant.

About Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation

The Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation, a 501(c) (3) charitable, nonprofit organization, understands the need to inspire innovation and cultivate investment in Ohio’s farm and food community. Learn more by visiting ofbf.org/foundation.

About Farm Credit Mid-America

A proud member of the Farm Credit System, Farm Credit Mid-America exists to secure the future of rural communities and agriculture as a leading provider of reliable, consistent credit and financial services to farmers, producers, agribusinesses and rural residents in Arkansas, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, Ohio and Tennessee. The customer-owned cooperative serves more than 140,000 customers and manages a portfolio of $39.5 billion in total earning assets owned and managed. Farm Credit Mid-America’s products and services include loans for real estate, operating, equipment, rural living, crop insurance, and vehicle, equipment and building leases. For more information, visit fcma.com.

This is a news release for use by journalists. Questions should be directed to Ty Higgins, 614-246-8231 or thiggins@ofbf.org.