Jefferson County Agri-Business Club on Thursday announced it has provided grants to five local organizations to benefit youth and agricultural projects.
According to a news release, the club, during its February meeting, heard presentations from each organization making application for a grant.
The club’s grant subcommittee then evaluated the applications and awarded a Jefferson County Agri-Business Club grant to five groups.
Monies awarded to the chosen groups likely will not cover the full cost of the projects presented, but will aid in the completion of the projects, the release stated.
Grants are awarded in two installments which come at the beginning of the project and at the project’s successful completion.
“Thanks to customers who visited our food stand at the Jefferson County Fair and a successful Holiday Cheese Sale we are able to have $3,500 available to organizations supporting agriculture in the form of agriculture grants,” Leigh Cheesebro, chairman of the the grant subcommittee, was quoted as saying in the release.
Following are projects that received grant funding.
• “Make it With Wool,” a project presented in February to club members by Becky Mehringer, State Director of the Wisconsin Make it With Wool program. During her presentation, Mehringer told club members that wool is a fashionable textile and the program encourages individuals to create wearables, showcasing the versatile material. Those participating in the program and making wearables can be selected as state winners during the Wisconsin Sheep and Wool Festival hosted annually at the Jefferson County Fair Park. Winners can next advance to the national level. Last year, a youth from Watertown, Holley Schwartz, represented Wisconsin in the national contest. A knit double-breasted brown coat, blue mohair knit sweater, and knitted cream skirt outfit, were among items that earned Schwartz the title of 4th runner-up in the senior division, the release noted.
• A Palmyra-Eagle FFA greenhouse was presented in February as a construction project that would produce a 40- by 40-foot greenhouse to aid in classroom learning. Once completed, the greenhouse will provide year-round use. Plans include an irrigation system. Produce grown in the greenhouse will be served in the school cafeteria, according to the release.
• A grain bin rescue tube for use by the Jefferson Fire and EMS was also among projects receiving funding. The equipment will be used to save individuals who become trapped in a grain bin, the release noted, adding that grain bins are found on numerous farms in Jefferson County and the surrounding areas. The release related the following statistics: for those who become trapped in grain bins, there is a 40% chance of survival. Additionally, the release claimed, accidents occurring within agricultural confined spaces often involve children and young adults under 21.
• The Lake Mills FFA Ag Literacy Program, described in the release as “an Ag literacy program through which 88 FFA members promote agriculture to elementary (school) students. The project received funding to host a day of Ag education during the summer for students of all ages.
• The Jefferson County Dairy Group, which the release noted, has many projects for dairy youth in the county. Its resources benefit 84 young people interested in dairy, with such projects included as supporting dairy judging and dairy bowl teams. Additionally, it recognizes top dairy exhibitors in showmanship at the Jefferson County Fair.
About Jefferson County Agri-Business Club
According to the release, the mission of the Jefferson County Agri-Business Club is to promote an active interest in agribusiness as a resource available now and in the future. The club’s goal is to promote the agribusiness community to local and statewide populations. The stated goal is accomplished through education, media, visits to local agribusinesses, fundraisers utilizing agricultural products, providing scholarships toward Ag careers, and offering funds to organizations that promote the Ag community.
To learn more about the Jefferson County Agri-Business club, visit its website: www.jeffersoncountyagribusinessclub.com.
Palmyra/Eagle FFA members Rowdy Kamber, from left, and Brynn Emery discuss their greenhouse project. Micayla Schmidt, not pictured, is the Palmyra/Eagle FFA advisor. Contributed photo.
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