The East Porter County Chapter of Future Farmers of America (FFA) is on its way to the 95th National FFA Convention & Expo this year, thanks in part to a grant from the Gift of Grain giving circle of the Porter County Community Foundation (PCCF).
Farmers Support Porter County Ag Education through Gift of Grain Program
Porter County farmers have the opportunity to support local agriculture education programs by donating grain to the Porter County Community Foundation. In partnership with Co-Alliance Malden, proceeds from the sale of the donated grain are made available to the Agriculture Community Initiative Fund committee to decide how to effectively support and promote ag education in Porter County schools.
Brothers Bryce (left) and Colton (right) Birky, grandsons of farmers Ron and Cheri Birky, donated their beans in memory of long-time Co-Alliance Malden grain originator, Joe Cannon. Cannon, who was a strong advocate for the Gift of Grain initiative, passed away earlier this year.
“As a farmer, you prepare, plant, nurture and grow. We do the same thing with gifts made to the Foundation,” said Bill Higbie, President & CEO of the Porter County Community Foundation. “Your gift will not only help kids in our community today, but that gift will be here, forever, to help ensure ag education programs are available in the future.”
Since 2017, the Gift of Grain kick-off has been held in conjunction with Chili Day. A decade-old tradition, Chili Day was started by local photographer and Valparaiso University Art Professor, Aimee Tomasek, to convey the community’s gratitude to farmers. Tomasek cooks the chili in an iron kettle over a wood fire outside the Co-Alliance office. This year ingredients were donated by Martha and Dave Sharp of Sharp School Services and Brad and Chris Metzger of Metzger Brothers Farms. Three members of the Morgan Township High School FFA chapter, Logan Grieger, Lane and Tyler Banks, assisted by serving chili.
(From Left to Right) Emily Remster presents her home-made FFA quilt to Morgan Township Ag teacher and FFA advisor, Rachel Stoner, and three of her students—Logan Grieger, Tyler Banks and Lane Banks. The quilt was presented on Gift of Grain Chili Day at Co-Alliance Malden on October 22.
Morgan Township resident and Gift of Grain supporter, Emily Remster, presented Ag teacher and FFA advisor, Rachel Stoner and her students with a quilt she made depicting the strong tradition of FFA in the community. Stoner’s father, Tim Stoner, is the founder and chairperson of the Agriculture Community Initiative Committee.
Porter County Farmers Gift of Grain Chili Day - October 19, 2018
Porter County Farmers are invited to attend the Gift of Grain Chili Day at the Co-Alliance Elevator in Malden on Friday, October 19, 2018 from 10 AM – 2 PM.
Gift of Grain Committee Members (left to right) Tim Stoner, Brad Metzger, Jane Maxwell, and Joe Cannon.
A free homemade chili lunch and sweets will be served. Information about how farmers can support our community through the Gift of Grain program will also be available.
The Gift of Grain program was started in 2017 as a way for local farmers to use grain to help families in Porter County start saving for their kids’ college education. The program supports Promise Porter County, an initiative that helps families with first grade students invest in a CollegeChoice 529 savings account.
Gift of Grain is also investing in a permanently endowed fund. The Agricultural Community Initiative Fund, at the Porter County Community Foundation, will help ensure there will be resources available to meet future needs in our community.
Gift of Grain committee member and Porter County farmer, Tim Stoner, says “This program is unique in that it has a double benefit; it allows us to support Promise Porter County today and build an endowment to contribute to future projects as they develop.”
While chili will be available on October 19, gifts of grain can be made anytime. This is an ongoing project that encourages farmers to participate at the time of year that is best for them.
“The partnership between local farmers and the Porter County Community Foundation is really special,” said Foundation President & CEO, Bill Higbie. “It’s a great example of how investing today grows tomorrow.”
A gift of grain can be an easy, tax-efficient way to support local causes in our community. For more information about the Gift of Grain program, visit www.pccf.gives/giftofgrain.
In the event of rain, the Gift of Grain Chili Day will be on Friday, October 26.