The Osborne County Community Foundation is partnering with Midway Co-op, to create an endowed fund. The Midway Coop Ag Fund will provide competitive grant opportunities for agriculture projects, FFA programs, and 4-H clubs within the company’s operating area, including Jewell, Osborne, Russell and Smith counties.
The framework for Midway Co-op dates back to 1907 when the framework was laid for the Osborne County Farmers Union Cooperative Association—the first county unit cooperative in the state of Kansas. It all began when Osborne County residents gathered at country schools to pool their resources with the goal of enhancing their buying and selling power. Initially, the co-op handled primarily coal, cream, produce and petroleum products. What started with a few thousand dollars in sales in 1908 has grown into Midway Co-op, now boasting sales surpassing $100 million.
“The Midway Co-op Ag Fund will empower local agricultural initiatives and youth programs, fostering the next generation of leaders in our farming community,” said Mindy Miller, executive director of the Osborne County Community Fund,
Grant applications for this fund will be accepted beginning in March, 2025, and the process will be competitive, focusing on supporting projects that enhance agricultural education, community development, and sustainability practices. Applications and additional
information are available at http://www.osborneccf.org.
Donations may be made at any time to the Midway Co-op Ag Fund at http://www.osborneccf.org, helping to further its mission and support the future of agriculture in the region.
“Our mission has always been rooted in serving the community,” said Craig Mans, general manager of Midway Co-op. “This partnership with OCCF allows us to deepen our impact by investing in agriculture and supporting the future of youth programs in our region. We are pleased to be able to start this fund through OCCF, but still be able to impact our entire footprint and not just limit our reach to Osborne County.”
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