Farm Bureau Foundation of Sonoma County
Growing Agricultural Education for Future Generations
Supporting
Educating
Informing
The Foundation maintains an ongoing development program for individual and corporate sponsorships, various donations including but not limited to, monetary, real and personal property and in-kind donations. There are many different reasons why friends and supporters of Sonoma County Farm Bureau provide charitable contributions to the Farm Bureau Foundation of Sonoma County. Some give because of ideological commitment, some because of a desire to support local agriculture. Still, others give out of compassion for the educational needs of our youth. Gifts to the Foundation provide support to the Agricultural Education programs of the Sonoma County Farm Bureau.
Community Programs
Scholarships
Scholarships are available to graduating high school seniors, Santa Rosa Junior College students or continuing four-year college students.
Ag Ed Grants
We are proud to administer a grant program utilizing funds contributed by the Alvin James Hansen Foundation to support agriculture education.
Gold Cup Award
Sonoma County Fair outstanding exhibitor award based on leadership, citizenship, character, 4-H or FFA project work, academic achievement and communication skills.
$1.5M+
Awarded in scholarships since 2006
551
Scholarship recipients since 2006
$150k+
Awarded in Agriculture Education grants
Scholarship Program
The Farm Bureau Foundation of Sonoma County Scholarship Program was organized to aid students who desire to pursue a career in the agricultural industry. Scholarships are awarded annually based on academic achievement, career goals, extracurricular activities, determination, leadership skills, and a commitment to study agriculture.
Ag Education Grant Program
The Farm Bureau Foundation of Sonoma County is proud to administer a grant program utilizing funds contributed by the Alvin James Hansen Foundation to support agriculture education. Grant requests can be made for programs and projects that further agriculture education, especially efforts that further youth education in agriculture.
Applicants can include various organizations, from small grassroots groups to well-established educational organizations. Those involved with agriculture, agriculture literacy, and agricultural education are encouraged to apply. Only one application can be submitted by an organization in a six-month time period. Applications must be submitted electronically, will be accepted year-round, and a quarterly evaluation process will be followed.
2023 Fairtime Project Grants
Deadline May 22, 2023
Grant Request Criteria:
- All local FFA Chapters, 4-H Clubs, and Independent Junior projects are eligible.
- Awards will not exceed $1,000 per proposal.
- Qualifying requests include equipment, supplies, facility repair or improvement for projects.
- All awardees are required to send photos and a recap of their project by December 31, 2023. Awardees who do not, will not be considered for a future grant until a recap of prior project has been submitted.
Farm Bureau Foundation Board
The Farm Bureau Foundation of Sonoma County Board of Directors are appointed to serve in capacities that support and advance the mission of Sonoma County Farm Bureau in its efforts to educate and inform young people and community leaders about the important role agriculture plays in the economy of Sonoma County and the North Bay region. The board designs and oversees philanthropic mechanisms that are used to preserve Sonoma County’s rich agricultural heritage through student scholarships, educational programs and outreach in urban and rural communities.
BJ Bertacco
President
Mark Stapp
Vice President
Sally Manoukian
Treasurer
John Bidia
Steve Dutton
Benjamin Goldstein
Jeff James
Karissa Kruse
Brent Young
Donate
Support the Farm Bureau Foundation’s scholarships and agricultural education programs and invest in the future of Sonoma County agriculture. Help us provide scholarships and agricultural education programs to deserving young men and women from Sonoma County who want to study agriculture. Your contribution will go a long way in developing the next generation of agricultural leaders and preserving Sonoma County’s rich farming heritage.
In 2022, through the generosity of donors like you, Farm Bureau Foundation was able to award $176,000 in scholarships to deserving students studying agriculture.
All donors who give $250 or more were recognized in the Sonoma-Marin Farm News, the North Bay’s leading agricultural publication, and in the Farm Bureau Foundation of Sonoma County Annual Report.
New donors of $2,500 or more will have the option to create a named scholarship in the name of their business or in honor of someone special.