REYNOLDSBURG – The Ohio Department of Agriculture has released grant applications for the 2014
Agricultural and Rural Community Outreach Program (ARCOP).
The program, jointly administered by the Ohio FFA Foundation, Ohio FFA Association and the Ohio
Department of Agriculture, helps local FFA chapters finance worthy community development projects.
Local FFA chapters can submit project proposals until March 15 to the Ohio FFA Foundation. A committee
will then select projects to receive grant funds ranging from $750 to $2,500. Grant winners will be
notified by April 1.
"FFA provides valuable, life-shaping experiences for our young people," said Ohio Department of
Agriculture Director David T. Daniels. "The Ohio Department of Agriculture is proud to partner with
Ohio FFA Foundation and Association for a second year to help students fund community projects that
teach them the value of giving back to their communities while gaining experience as agricultural
leaders."
Last year, 13 local FFA chapters were awarded funding for projects in a variety of areas including
agriculture and emergency safety training, agricultural science, animal welfare, and targeting hunger
needs of school children and rural populations. Among those 13 was the Eastwood FFA which received a
grant for agriculture emergency responders training.
"With the success of the 2013 projects, Ohio FFA is looking forward to working with our partners to
help fund another round of diverse, worthwhile community projects," said FFA Foundation Director
Melissa Bell.
One notable project from the Waterford FFA in Washington County created an "Agriculture is
Science" Day.
The goal of this program is to expand elementary students’ knowledge of science, enabling them to become
more aware of its relationship with agriculture and natural resources. FFA members are in the process of
developing 15 educational stations to be taught at a 4-H camp, Camp Hervidad, to 120 second and third
grade students during a six- hour program. All stations are linked to Ohio Department of Education
academic content standards, raising the academic relevance of the event.
The program is funded by a $38,000 grant provided by the Ohio Department of Agriculture through the Ohio
Rural Rehabilitation fund.
For more information on grant guidelines or to apply, visit
http://ohioffa.org/foundation/foundation-news/.