Jefferson County ag literacy grant

Key Points

  • Jefferson County Farm Bureau received a $1,000 White-Reinhardt grant from the American Farm Bureau Foundation, one of six awarded nationwide.
  • Funds were used to purchase agricultural resources, including the 2025 Book of the Year, furthering ag literacy efforts by teaching local K-12 students about farming’s role in daily life.
  • The county created a weeklong August fair program celebrating America’s 250th birthday and showcasing agricultural history and modern tech advancements.

_______________________________________________________________________________________

Ag literacy spread further in eastern Ohio thanks to a national grant award.

Jefferson County Farm Bureau received $1,000 from the American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture through its White-Reinhardt Fund for Education program. The award was one of six grants made throughout the country.

Jefferson County Farm Bureau
Connie Crawford, a Jefferson County Farm Bureau member, assisted with each day’s activities at the fair.

In celebration of America’s 250th birthday, Jefferson County members created a weeklong program during their county fair in August to showcase the significant milestones and advancements in the agricultural industry.

“This year we are celebrating America’s 250th anniversary as well as our county Farm Bureau’s 80th anniversary, and we wanted to look back at how agriculture built both our country and Jefferson County,” said Jeanne Roberts, a retired teacher and county board member. “From George Washington’s early crop experiments to today’s precision technology, this weeklong fair program was able to bring agriculture’s storied history and modern advancements to life for local kids in a hands-on, memorable way.”

To assist students in exploring the history of agricultural advancements, Jefferson County also purchased the foundation’s 2025 Book of the Year, “The Soil in Jackie’s Garden,” along with several other agricultural literacy resources.

“Most kids today are several generations removed from the farm. By expanding our ag literacy program across all six days of the county fair, we’re able to reach hundreds of students who might otherwise never see how present agriculture is in their daily lives,” said Carroll, Harrison, Jefferson and Tuscarawas County Organization Director Kayla Scott. “Our goal with this project was to educate the next generation on how food, fiber and energy touch their lives each and every day.”

Roberts and Belinda Boyce, also a retired teacher and county board member, worked with Scott to complete the grant application. The White-Reinhardt Grant Program funds projects that will increase agricultural literacy. County and state Farm Bureaus may apply for $1,000 grants for education programs for grades K-12 in order to initiate new ag literacy programs or expand existing programs.

 The White-Reinhardt Fund for Education is a special project of the foundation in cooperation with the AFB Women’s Leadership Committee. It was established to honor two former chairs of that committee, Berta White and Linda Reinhardt, who were leaders in the national effort to improve agricultural literacy.

What’s Next

The 2027 White-Reinhardt Scholarship application for teachers is now open. This scholarship program provides educators with funds to attend the National Agriculture in the Classroom Conference to help foster ag literacy. Apply by Dec. 1.

Learn more about this opportunity and other Farm Bureau ag literacy initiatives at agfoundation.org.

Photos from Jefferson County Farm Bureau

New and beginning farmers
My first recommendation in your journey is to start out with a local farming friend or mentor along with joining an organization like Ohio Farm Bureau.
Greg McGlinch's avatar
Greg McGlinch

Darke County Farm Bureau

Growing Tomorrow Grant
We’re just so thankful for the Farm Bureau and the foundation for helping put this together. And of course, the Boyert family for the vision they had with this grant. It’s jumping us forward 10 years. It’s unbelievable.
Nathan and Jill Parriman's avatar
Nathan and Jill Parriman

Clermont County Farm Bureau

Bringing the farm back to life
I could not have done it without the resources I have found through Farm Bureau.
Gretchan Francis's avatar
Gretchan Francis

Trumbull County Farm Bureau

Youth pathways in Farm Bureau
It wasn’t until I joined the Wilmington College Collegiate Farm Bureau that I truly saw how my passion could translate into leadership, advocacy and a career.
Wyatt Morrow's avatar
Wyatt Morrow

Clinton County Farm Bureau

Giving farmers a voice
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

Select Partner Program
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.
Chad Ruhl's avatar
Chad Ruhl

Farm manager, CSI Insurance

Advocacy
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.
Mary Smallsreed's avatar
Mary Smallsreed

Trumbull County Farm Bureau

Suggested Tags: