Collegiate Farm Bureau Chapters Empower Students by Utilizing YF&R Mini-Grants Program

Each year, the American Farm Bureau Federation’s Young Farmers and Ranchers program awards mini-grants of $500 to Collegiate Farm Bureau chapters across the U.S. The award aims to help chapters reach their goal of empowering students to be united voices for agriculture, while building skills in leadership and communications, facilitating networking opportunities and offering scholarships.

South Dakota State University – Brookings, South Dakota

South Dakota State University spearheaded the planning for a day-long industry tour with Mitchell Technical College and Lake Area Technical College. Beginning at a large dairy farm, students toured the facility while learning about issues the dairy industry is facing, as well as employment opportunities in the sector. After the tour, students enjoyed a meal while networking with one another before participating in a leadership development activity. Later they heard from stakeholders who discussed opportunities in Farm Bureau and how to continue involvement after college.

The planning process started nine months prior to the event to coordinate with college schedules, speakers and transportation. Forty-two Collegiate Farm Bureau members attended the event and shared that the experience was valuable and applicable to their lives. The mini-grant SDSU received helped jump-start the fundraising process. They look forward to planning more industry tours in the future.

Murray State University – Murray, Kentucky

The Murray State University Collegiate Farm Bureau chapter utilized their mini-grant to attend the national Young Farmers and Ranchers conference in Omaha, Nebraska. Seven students and two advisors met with other Collegiate Farm Bureau chapters from across the country during the four-day conference. One student, Isiah Pruitt, competed in the Sweet 16 Collegiate Discussion Meet.

Attendees participated in community service activities, networking events, leadership workshops and an outing at the Omaha Zoo. They learned a variety of things at the conference and collectively agreed the experience made them want to continue their involvement in Farm Bureau well beyond their collegiate careers.

College of the Ozarks – Point Lookout, Missouri

The College of the Ozarks Collegiate Farm Bureau chapter has partnered with Bridge of Faith, a church located in Rockaway Beach, Missouri, for many years. Each Wednesday, Bridge of Faith works with local youth to help them learn about God’s creation through agriculture. They do this by pairing Bible stories with different activities as they work together to maintain a community garden. The food grown in the garden is then prepared for the children to enjoy after each activity.

College of the Ozarks Collegiate Farm Bureau applied for a mini-grant to provide Bridge of Faith with a new composter and irrigation equipment so they can continue to expand their program. After receiving the grant, the Collegiate Farm Bureau members helped install the equipment and spent time volunteering with the attendees.

Washington State University – Pullman, Washington

Washington State University Collegiate Farm Bureau used their mini-grant to send five members to Washington Farm Bureau’s Annual Meeting where they competed in the Discussion Meet. The mini-grant helped to offset their travel expenses and minimize stress related to attendance costs.

“The Collegiate Farm Bureau Mini-Grant Program has given our members the chance to expand their knowledge on how they can contribute to our state, college and local communities,” said WSU Collegiate Farm Bureau member Hallie Sciera. “By being able to attend Washington’s Annual Meeting without the worry of hotel fees, our members learned about the farm bill, how to network with fellow farmers and policy members and how their voice can make an impact in the world.”

Collegiate Farm Bureau Mini-Grant Program

The 2024-2025 AFBF Collegiate Farm Bureau Mini-Grant program is open for applications through Sept. 21. For more information about the program, including how to apply, visit fb.org/cfbgrants or email yfr@fb.org.

Since the program’s launch in fall 2017, AFBF has awarded over 70 mini-grants.

Collegiate Farm Bureau

There are over 120 Collegiate Farm Bureau chapters across the U.S., focused on empowering students to be united voices for agriculture, while building skills in leadership and communications, facilitating networking opportunities and offering scholarships.