Deadline Feb. 16 for Ag Society Foundation Grants

News from the New York State Agricultural Society:

The New York State Agricultural Society Foundation will be awarding a total of $10,000 in grants this spring to organizations across the state with a focus on “Building the Agriculture Intellect of Youth.” 

The Foundation will consider programs targeting youth – junior high age and older – that improve awareness of how agriculture works.

Founded in 2011, the organization is leveraging charitable contributions and partnership opportunities to support agricultural education, leadership development and industry recognition; the mission of the NYS Agricultural Society.  

“We want to continue to be a vehicle for action,” said Ann Noble Shephard, foundation chair. “Our goal is to plant seeds of influence today to help positively change the playing field for agriculture in the future. Partnering with non-profits in local communities to help spread the message is a tool that can be very effective.”

The new Foundation funded its first round of grants in 2014 — six grants, totaling $10,000 reached 266,000 people.

Applications for 2015 are due Feb. 16.  Details at: http://www.nysagsociety.org/foundation/388-2/ 

The Foundation plans to award grants of up to $2,500 and is most interested in supporting new activities in all parts of New York State. The focus for each grant year will change depending on current events and industry developments.