Program areas at Montana Farm Bureau Foundation
Leadership development- ace scholarships- armed to communicate industry issues, participants will be able to represent Farm Bureau interests and agriculture at a local, state, and national level. Ace participants receive an in-depth approach to leadership and how to apply it. More than that, ace participants will learn to identify the needs of their own communities and the role they, and Farm Bureau, have in serving those needs. Without a vibrant, healthy grassroots Foundation we cannot profoundly affect change on the policy issues impacting agriculture. Leadership development- our Foundation supported youth education and leadership development and provided $17,300 in scholarships so that Montana youth can receive the training and education they need at state and national leadership conferences.
Montana Farm Bureau Foundation provided seven $1,000 mini grants during our fiscal year. Our mini grants support agricultural education and promotion projects. Here are a few examples of the mini grants awarded and projects supported:success stories: an evening about family ranch transitions- we awarded a mini-grant to help with funding for a ranch succession training seminar held in malta, mt. They had over 60 people in attendance and brought in families with first-hand experience and experts in navigating ranch estate planning. This is a great way to have an impact in rural communities and serves our mission well.junior agricultural mechanics show, msu department of agricultural and technology education - our mini-grant helped fund awards for this project that focuses on Montana ffa members' expertise on designing and constructing agricultural mechanics projects. Middle and high school students enrolled in agricultural education courses worked to fabricate agricultural mechanics projects. Skills learned include welding, cutting, and fastening.
Youth education support- $10,000 spent toward support for agriculture for youth to our collegiate young farmer & rancher clubs that foster yf&r involvement at the collegiate level across four different campuses in Montana.
Montana Farm Bureau Foundation provided more than $5,000 worth of agricultural education materials to classrooms and organizations throughout Montana. We gave out hundreds of food and Farm facts, ag mags and pencils printed with Farm facts. These materials provide students with accurate information about how agriculture feeds the world and cares for the environment.