Stay Informed

After many Farm Bureau events were canceled or made virtual due to the ongoing pandemic, county and district leaders began looking for ways to remain impactful in their communities.

As a result, the Young Farmers & Ag Professionals State Committee launched a statewide philanthropic challenge. Through this challenge, they hope to raise money for INAgLaw and other nonprofits.  

“Our transition to virtual events has led many of our normal philanthropic efforts to function differently this year,” said Deidra Gottbrath, YF&AP State Committee chair. “We knew it was important to utilize our creativity to support food banks, programs that help feed communities, and other Young Farmers & Ag Professionals-supported organizations that may not be able to do their typical fundraising events this year.”

The committee has challenged themselves, as well as county and district YF&AP programs, to gather donations totaling $20,020 by the end of 2020. Eligible nonprofits include INAgLaw, YF&AP-supported nonprofits, ag-related charities or food supply-related charities. Examples of YF&AP-supported organizations include FFA, 4-H, Feeding America, Fallen Young Farmer, local food banks, etc.

YF&AP programs that donate to INAgLaw for the challenge will have their contributions matched to make an even larger impact. This is because Indiana Farm Bureau has pledged to match any donations made to INAgLaw through the end of the year, up to $30,000.

According to Gottbrath, multiple donations have already been received and the committee is anticipating several more. Including a donation to INAgLaw that has been matched, more than $4,000 has been donated to date.

All donation receipts must be submitted before INFB’s state convention in order to count toward the challenge. Questions about submitting donations may be sent to one of the following:

• District YF&AP representatives.
• Deidra Gottbrath, YF&AP State Committee chair, at deidra.gottbrath@uoflhealth.org.
• Brandon Rice, INFB leadership development coordinator, at brice@infb.org.

The committee hopes these donations will help to offset the challenges many local organizations have faced this year.

“We know that farmers and ag businesses have consistently supported their communities across our state for many years, but it is especially important to support them in years like 2020 that have put unprecedented stress and financial strain on so many,” said Gottbrath.