MANSFIELD – The Richland County Foundation Gift of Grain Fund Committee has awarded a grant to support the Richland County Soil and Water Conservation District (RCSWCD).
The grant will fund a collaborative project called Cultivating Minds that brings together RCSWCD, Richland County Farm Bureau, and the Mansfield Richland County Public Library.
It will provide three agricultural and environmental literacy kits to every elementary school in Richland County and at the main branch of the library. The goal is to teach elementary youth about agriculture, food, and natural resources.
The agricultural kits include a children’s book, a teacher’s guide, and all items needed for a classroom activity. A total of 75 kits will be distributed throughout the county.
The Committee members are Brian Alt, Shelby farmer, Donnie Clark, owner of Elzy Milling and Trade, Jess Ashby, Ohio Department of Agriculture Meat Inspector, Christy Keith, Richland County Fair Board member, and Adam Staley, Clear Fork High School vocational agriculture teacher and FFA Advisor.
The Richland County Foundation Board of Trustees established the Gift of Grain Fund in 2021 with $15,000 to support local agricultural nonprofits. The fund can accept grain, cash, stocks, bonds, marketable assets, or a transfer from an IRA account from farmers, companies, and individuals.
The charitable gift qualifies for the maximum tax advantage available by law.
For instructions on how to make a Gift of Grain, go to the “Ways to Give Smarter” tab on
richlandcountyfoundation.org.