Foundation
The Marion County Farm Bureau Foundation was formed in 2001 so members and local communities could have a means to provide money to promote agricultural education and careers. The Foundation is the property of Marion County Farm Bureau members and governed by a local Board of Directors.
Primary activities of the Foundation include:
- Providing scholarships to members of Farm Bureau families who are studying agriculture or related fields.
- Funding agricultural programs and materials for students in our county.
- Supporting and/or conducting seminars and schools for educational and leadership purposes in agriculture.
For over 20 years the Foundation has served as an avenue for students to receive scholarships to continue their education. To date, the Foundation has awarded almost $290,000 in scholarships to over 160 different students. In addition, the Marion CFB Foundation has awarded over $80,000 in classroom grants to Marion County teachers.
The Foundation is also actively involved in the county Ag in the Classroom (AITC) program, sponsoring Summer Ag Institutes and classroom project grants for county teachers.
Contact the Marion County Farm Bureau office or go to www.myifb.org to join, renew, or manage your membership.
Marion County Farm Bureau
Scholarships
The objective of our Foundation’s Scholarship program is to provide scholarships to college students who major in agriculture, agri-business, or an ag-related course of study. The number and dollar amount of scholarships awarded will vary depending upon the number of applications received and availability of funds, but 11 students received a total of $15,000 in 2024.
Scholarship applications are generally available by January 1st each year and have a March 15th deadline. Scholarship recipients must be members, or dependents of Farm Bureau members (in good standing for at least 1 year), going into the study of agriculture or a related field.
- Available January 1, 2025
- March 15, 2025 deadline
2024 Scholarship Recipients
Rachel Donoho
$2,500
Kyla Engel
$2,000
Charlie Hunter
$1,500
Audrey Pugh
$1,500
Hunter Russell
$1,500
Hailey Schuler
$1,500
Jonathon Wilkins
$1,500
Brayden Lueking
$1,000
Gavin Zimmermann
$1,000
Logan Johnston
$500
Alyssa Luse
$500
Teacher Grants
Each year, the Marion County Farm Bureau Foundation offers teachers in Marion County classroom grants of up to $350 for activities relating to agriculture. These grants can be used to fund any project promoting agriculture awareness. Project funds can be requested for resources, supplies, books, field trips, special projects, and more as long as the applicant can relate their activity back to agriculture.
Projects should FOCUS on integrating agriculture into a variety of curriculum areas. Teachers are encouraged to be creative in developing a valuable agricultural experience for students. Applications outlining the project, goals, objectives, and desired outcomes must be received at the Marion County Farm Bureau office by October 1, 2024.
Grant recipients will be notified by email and receive a link to the final report that will be due to the Marion CFB Foundation by May 31, 2025. Reimbursement for your grant can be done at any time after project completion and submittal of the final report/receipts.
Contact the Farm Bureau office at (618) 548-2100 or [email protected] for more information.
To-date, the Foundation has awarded over $80,000 in classroom grants.
Charitable Giving
Member support of the Foundation is VITAL and all contributions to the Marion County Farm Bureau Foundation are tax-deductible!
There are many ways to help support the future of Marion County agriculture. Donations can be directed to support our Agriculture in the Classroom (AITC) program, fund local scholarships, establish new scholarships, donate in the memory of a loved one, establish farm/estate legacy gifts, and more.
To discuss your giving options, for more flexible donation amounts, or to discuss establishing a new scholarship, please call the Marion CFB Foundation at (618) 548-2100. Online donations can also be accepted anytime with your member account through the IFB Member Center at www.myifb.org.
As a 501(c)(3) charity, all donations to the Marion County Farm Bureau Foundation are tax-deductible per IRS guidelines. Please note that no goods or services are exchanged for your donations.
Special Thanks
The Marion County Farm Bureau sends a special thanks to the Dorothy and Wilhemine Ratermann Trust which has donated almost $270,000 to our Foundation in support of scholarships over the past 16 years.
IAA Foundation
As the charitable arm of the Illinois Farm Bureau, the IAA Foundation proudly supports farm families and the future of agriculture through education. With the help of generous contributors, the IAA Foundation makes a lasting impact through scholarships, grants, and key programs like Illinois Agriculture in the Classroom.