Education, research and development initiatives that support young, beginning and small farmers received more than $500,000 in grants from the Farm Credit System Foundation in 2006.
“Our foundation giving continues to grow,” said John Hays, Vice President for National Programs with the Farm Credit System Foundation. “The Foundation partners with a number of very effective organizations that make resources available to young, beginning, and small producers so they can acquire or enhance the skills needed to succeed.”
“The financial support the Foundation receives demonstrates the System’s ongoing commitment to the future of farming and ranching in America,” Hays said. “Each year since its founding in 1991, the Foundation has expanded its outreach to support young, beginning and small farmers and ranchers, and to secure the future of U.S. agriculture and rural America.”
Download a Farm Credit System Foundation Grant Application:
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The Farm Credit System Foundation supports the following organizations:
Progressive Agriculture Foundation Farm Safety Day Camps – The Foundation is a Platinum sponsor in support of the national organization. Approximately 70,000 campers and volunteers participate in local farm safety days conducted for farm youth throughout the United States. The Foundation has been a sponsor since 2001.
Successful Farming’s Farmers for the Future Website – The Foundation is the sole sponsor of this website targeted at young and beginning producers. This website is a valuable resource and can be reviewed at
www.agriculture.com
by clicking on Farmers for the Future. It is estimated that over 35,000 unique visitors have viewed the website. This relationship began in 2004.
National Young Farmer Educational Association – The Foundation supports a management competition and also serves as the national match in programs designed to attract additional participants and sponsors. Each year, more than 1,000 young farmers directly benefit from leadership programs and an addition 20,000 indirectly benefit through the Foundation’s sponsorship. For more information, see
www.nyfea.org.
This relationship began in 2000.
Agriculture Future of America – The Foundation supports leadership development for college-level men and women pursuing careers in agriculture. One component of this program is to develop relationships within the agriculture industry in order to place students into internship programs. In addition, some Farm Credit institutions have hosted AFA interns. For more information, see
www.agfuture.org.
This relationship began in 2001.
Future Farmers of America (FFA) Foundation – The Foundation supports the American Degree Program. The American degree is the highest degree that is offered. The Foundation’s support directly benefits approximately 3,000 American Degree applicants and indirectly benefits 485,000 FFA members. For more information, see
www.ffa.org.
4-H – The Foundation provided a $10,000 grant to support the National 4-H World Congress held annually. The program is designed to help 4-H young people develop their knowledge base and leadership skills to positively impact their peers and home communities. The 4-H organization estimates there are 1,300 direct beneficiaries annually and 6 million indirect beneficiaries. For more information, see
www.national4-hcongress.com.
The Foundation has supported the 4-H since 1991.
North American Inter-Collegiate Dairy Challenge – The Foundation provided $8,000 to support a dairy management competition based on the examination of all aspects of a dairy business. In 2004, 44 agricultural colleges and 272 students benefited from the Foundation’s sponsorship. For more information, see
www.dairychallenge.org.
This relationship began in 2003.
National Association of County Agricultural Agents – The Foundation sponsors a state/regional/national competition to recognize excellence in outreach to young, beginning, and small producers. The $10,000 annual grant is the largest award for excellence available to county agents. The Foundation’s goal is to get more county agents involved in outreach to young, beginning, and small producers. For more information, see
www.nacaa.com.
This relationship began in 2004.
Holstein Foundation – The Foundation supported a Young Dairymen Leadership Institute through a $10,000 grant. This program focuses on leadership skills development for participants ranging in age from 22 to 45. This relationship began in 2003 with a $10,000 grant. For more information, see
www.holsteinfoundation.org/ydli.php.