Ag Alert March 24, 2021

Volunteer work to combat hunger earns recognition

January. In addition to raising food and money for the initiative, farmers and ranchers reported22,570 volunteer hours assisting local hunger groups in 2020. Now in its 19th year, Harvest for All is spearheaded by members of the Farm Bureau YF&R program, but members of all ages fromacross the nation contribute to the effort. Since Harvest for All was launched, Farm Bureau families nationwide have gathered 376 million pounds of food, loggedmore than215,000volunteerhours and raised $9.8million in donations.

“Hunger remains a concern for peo- ple from all walks of life, including many rural Americans and residents of farming communities,” said Jon Iverson of Oregon, chair of the AFBF YF&R Committee. “Farm Bureau’s longstand- ing commitment to helping put food on the tables of those in need through Harvest for All outreach is more im- portant than ever as the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic continue.” (Chr i s t ine Souza i s an ass i s tant editor of Ag Alert. She may be contacted at csouza@cfbf.com.)

ByChristine Souza Work donating food, funds and volun- teer hours to people in need during 2020 has earned recognition for California Farm Bureau Young Farmer s and Ranchers members. TheAmericanFarmBureauFederation honored California YF&R members for devoting themost volunteer hours during 2020—8,319—to its national Harvest for All campaign to feed hungry people. LeahGroves, who chairs the California YF&R Contest Subcommittee that over- sees Harvest for All activities in the state, saidmembers across California dedicat- ed hours, funds and resources to support the communities where they live. “Especially in the time of COVID, our members stepped up and gave back to others that have lost so much and are struggling daily,” Groves said. “We are all proudof howhard they haveworkedover this past year.” CaliforniaYF&Rmembers volunteered time during 2020 requesting donations, serving meals, gleaning fields and help- ing at food banks and school gardens, she said, adding that YF&R members “got creative by partnering with school systems, churches, blood drives, food banks, FFA livestock sales and county FarmBureaus.” In recognizing California YF&Rmem- bers for leading the nation in volunteer hours, AFBF noted the myriad tasks involved, such as preparing donated food, loading it into trailers and deliv- ering it to distribution sites. Members also volunteered time to create fund- raising appeals on social media, shop for Christmas presents for children at homeless shelters and package take- home meals for at-risk students. California YF&Rmembers also donat- ed1,205,240pounds of foodand$216,718 during 2020. Dur ing the AFBF 2021 FUSION Reimagined Conference, held virtual- ly earlier this month, the Florida Farm Bureau took tophonors for donating food and raising money in 2020: 43 million pounds and $413,000. With the support of Nationwide, state organizations received a $500 grant for each type of contribution, for donation to a local food bank or for another Harvest for All project. Second-place winners were: New York FarmBureau for donating 8 million pounds of food; Michigan Farm Bureau for $313,972 of donated funds ; and Florida Farm Bureau for 7,182 volunteer hours. Each of the second-place winners received a $250 grant fromNationwide to donate to a local food bank. In addition, the Illinois Farm Bureau YF&R Committee received a $250 grant from Nationwide for “most innovative” program: a Facebook fundraiser to help fight food insecurityduring thepandemic. Nationally, Farm Bureau farm and ranch fami l ies donated 53 mi l l ion

pounds of food and raised nearly $1.5 million to assist hungry Americans in 2020. Combined, themonetary and food donations totaled the equivalent of 53 millionmeals. The YF&R donation program comple- mented Farm Bureau donations to sup- port COVID-19 relief of $5.4 million and 1.4millionpounds of food, announced in

financing that fits our needs. WE COUNT ON

We love the open space and rolling hills that make Paso Robles special. Thanks to our partnership with Community West Bank, we can see our dreams for our ranch realized.

– Dennis and Teresa Harrah Owners, Harrah Ranch

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March 24, 2021 Ag Alert 5