Ross County Fair food drive helps local families — and 4-H kids too
According to a community announcement, the contest, presented by Farm Credit Mid-America and sponsored by Rural 1st, encourages youth leaders to collaborate with their communities to collect food donations for local food banks.
The Ross County Fair won the regional competition in 2024, collecting more than 30,000 pounds of food.
'We're excited to bring this initiative back to Ohio county fairs, and to once again see how young people across the state encourage participation,' Rudi Pitzer Perry, regional vice president for agricultural lending at Farm Credit Mid-America, said in the announcement. 'In Ross County, we know the fair is a gathering place for the whole community, and this contest is a great way to rally people around an important cause that ultimately helps those in need close to home.'
Since its inception in 2021, the contest has collected and donated more than 950,000 pounds of food. This year, participants can also contribute fresh protein from livestock auctions.
Participating fairs receive a $500 award, and top-performing counties in each of five regions across the state earn additional prizes: $5,000 for first place, $1,500 for second place and $500 for third place. All prize money goes directly back to local 4-H programs.
'Ultimately, the true winners are the communities we serve,' Pitzer Perry said. 'This contest fuels our purpose to secure rural communities and agriculture by empowering youth leaders and supporting the local food banks who help local families in need.'
In 2024, Farm Credit Mid-America contributed nearly $4.5 million to impactful programs, including $1.7 million for youth, college students and young and beginning farmers. Of that, $450,000 supported the next generation of Ohio ag leaders, including $82,000 for Ohio 4-H programs, according to the announcement.
This story was created by Jane Imbody, jimbody@gannett.com, with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct/.
This article originally appeared on Chillicothe Gazette: Youth-led food drive returns to Ross County Fair — here's what's new
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