Growing Tomorrow Grant

The Growing Tomorrow Grant is administered by the Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation and was established through the philanthropic support of Mike Boyert, a former Ohio Farm Bureau trustee, and his wife Patti. Drawing from their personal experiences navigating the early challenges of building a farming business, the Boyerts created this program to expand access to capital and opportunity for emerging agricultural professionals. The initiative is designed to inspire innovation, support entrepreneurship, and strengthen the long-term sustainability of agriculture in Ohio by equipping new farmers with resources that were not readily available to previous generations. The primary purpose of the grant is to support new or early-stage agricultural businesses that are developing creative and transformative solutions to pressing challenges within the agricultural sector. These challenges include strengthening sustainable employment in farming communities, improving agricultural education and public awareness, advancing environmentally responsible farming practices, and addressing food insecurity. The program emphasizes projects that not only demonstrate innovation but also show potential for long-term viability through well-developed business plans and measurable community impact. Funding provided through the Growing Tomorrow Grant may be used either as startup capital for a new agricultural venture or to expand and enhance the impact of an existing business that has been operating for less than five years. However, the use of funds is restricted to project-specific expenses and may not be used for general operating costs such as rent, utilities, taxes, loan payments, or owner distributions. This ensures that awarded funds directly support innovation, growth, and measurable outcomes aligned with the program’s objectives. The grant program intends to distribute up to 100000 dollars among selected finalists. Eligibility is limited to individuals or married couples who are members in good standing of the Ohio Farm Bureau and are at least 18 years old at the time of application. Applicants must own or operate a new agricultural business or one that has been in operation for fewer than five years. Certain individuals are excluded, including current members of specific Farm Bureau committees, past recipients of this grant or similar national competitions, and employees or leadership within the Ohio Farm Bureau organization and their immediate family members. Partnerships and incorporated entities are permitted, though only one applicant per entity may apply, and supporting documentation from partners is required. The application process is completed entirely online and consists of two primary components. Part A requires a three- to five-minute video introduction in which applicants present their background, business model, intended impact, and long-term vision. Part B requires a comprehensive written project plan, including an executive summary, mission statement, goals and objectives, strategic approach, and detailed business plan with financial projections using provided templates. Applicants must clearly articulate how their project addresses one or more of the program’s four focus areas and demonstrate both feasibility and scalability. Applications for the current cycle open on May 1, 2026, and close on July 31, 2026. Following submission, top applicants are selected as finalists and invited to present their business plans in person to a panel of judges at the Ohio Farm Bureau state office in September 2026. Final grant recipients are announced at the Ohio Farm Bureau Annual Meeting in December 2026, with funding distributed in January 2027. The program operates on an annual cycle, reinforcing its ongoing commitment to cultivating the next generation of agricultural leaders in Ohio.

Focus on clearly demonstrating how your project addresses one of the four challenge areas with measurable outcomes and a strong, sustainable business plan.