Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation awards 5 grants

COLUMBUS, OH -- The Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation recently awarded five Agricultural Action and Awareness Grants that will help individuals and groups make a difference in their communities.

The grants focused on four core areas: economic development, education, environment and the human-animal bond. Supported by Ohio Farm Bureau Federation, the foundation is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit, public, charitable organization registered in Ohio.

This year’s grant recipients and projects:

• Canine Companions for Independence received $3,000 for its Canine Companions’ Programs. The organization’s assistance dogs increase the independence of their human partners through the task-based commands they are trained to complete. The dogs also improve the quality of life of their human partner by increasing their confidence, social interaction and emotional well-being.

• Northwestern Local School District in Wayne County received $3,000 for the construction of a greenhouse for educational purposes that will include hanging plants, tabled plants and hydroponics that will incorporate clean/renewable energy through solar lighting, a bio-fuel area and in the future a geothermal HVAC system and wind turbine.

• Ohio Farm Bureau’s AgriPOWER program received $3,000 for two participant scholarships. The purpose of AgriPOWER is to develop and train Ohio farmers and agribusiness professionals to become effective leaders, spokespersons and advocates for Ohio agriculture.

• Ohio Pork Council received $3,000 for its Virtual Field Trip to a Pig Farm program. Thousands of students will have the opportunity to see what happens on real Ohio farms without leaving their classroom. Through a video chat platform, students will be given the opportunity to see the farmer and pigs, ask questions and have them answered live on air by the farmer hosting the virtual tour.

• Scipio-Republic Fire Department in Seneca County received a $2,700 grant for grain bin rescue equipment.

Since 1985, the Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation has provided funding across the state for both small and large projects, including the Nationwide & Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center on the Ohio State University campus. It also endowed Ohio State’s C. William Swank Chair for Agricultural Economics and Rural Development.

Applications are now being accepted for the foundation’s fall funding grant cycle. Deadline to apply is Oct. 3. For more information about the foundation and its scholarship programs, visit OFBFoundation.org.