During the fall harvest season, Midwest row crop farmers are at their busiest, toiling from dawn to dusk. These hardworking individuals often forgo breaks and meals while dedicatedly harvesting their crops.
Recognizing the tremendous efforts of local farmers, the Western Illinois University Collegiate Farm Bureau embarked on a heartwarming mission. They assembled over 400 harvest snack bags, each containing water, snacks, and a heartfelt note expressing their deep appreciation for the tireless dedication of farmers during harvest.
Students from the Collegiate Farm Bureau came together to create these thoughtful bags before heading home for their fall break, ensuring they could personally deliver them to local grain elevators. This approach allowed them to not only distribute the tokens of gratitude but also engage with farmers, expanding the project's impact across a wider geographical area.
To fund this project, the Collegiate Farm Bureau applied for a mini-grant offered through the American Farm Bureau Federation’s Young Farmers & Ranchers program. This grant, valued at $500, is designed to support Collegiate Farm Bureau chapters in various activities, including community service initiatives like this one.
Lori Jackson, Adviser to the Western Illinois Collegiate Farm Bureau, expressed her gratitude for the AFBF mini-grant, stating, “Giving back to our community is something our chapter loves to do, and it wouldn’t have been possible without the help of the AFBF mini-grant.”
Collegiate Farm Bureau chapters nationwide actively engage in projects that promote agriculture, leadership development, and community involvement. These chapters empower students, offering them opportunities to build skills in leadership, communication, networking, and even scholarships.
In the spirit of fostering positive connections between students and the agricultural community, the WIU Collegiate Farm Bureau's gesture of appreciation is a testament to the enduring bond between farmers and the next generation of agricultural leaders.
Photo Credit: pixabay-franck-barske
Categories: Illinois, Education