Commitment to Agriculture Foundation
About Us

Mission Statement

 

An organization of Agricultural representatives that provide the means for educational opportunities and leadership training for all youth in agriculture.

History of the Commitment to Agriculture Foundation

At the beginning of 2001 the board of directors of the Weber County Farm Bureau discussed the possibility of improving the relationship between the Farm Bureau and the Future Farmers of America Chapters at both Weber and Fremont High Schools. It was decided that a yearly scholarship in the amount of $1,000 would be given to an outstanding student from each chapter. Scholarship applications were drawn up and given to students desiring to apply. In March of 2002 the first scholarships were given. This program continued for about 3 years. During this time and for many years before, the Farm Bureau also made donations to each chapter for their proficiency awards and other programs as needed. During the winter of 2003 we came up with an idea to turn the $2,000 into much more money to be used for scholarships.  After many hours of discussion we decided to pursue a fundraising event. A concert featuring the Bar J Wranglers from Jackson Hole, Wyo. was chosen. We felt by doing this we could turn $2,000 into $10,000. We enlisted the help of the FFA Officers, students and advisers from both high schools as well as a few Farm Bureau members. The students knew at the start that they probably would not benefit financially from this concert but the experience associated with it would be priceless. We all realized it as a chance to give to others and do something of value for future members. We were excited to be part of something with so much potential to do good and start a tradition.

The first concert was held the last weekend of Feb. 2005. It was a great success. The tickets were sold out 3 weeks before the concert with many more people wanting to attend. We were able to get enough sponsors to cover the expenses so the ticket sales became profit. It was decided to put the money in the Weber School District Foundation so neither the high school nor the Farm Bureau would have to run the funds through their accounts.

About that time we asked Cheryl Ferrin to help with this program. She was an elected member of the Weber County School Board and a personal friend of Rulon’s. We felt she would be a great asset. A second concert was planned the following year and an additional night was added. We held the concert both Friday and Saturday nights. We did not sell out both nights but had a great concert. Additional sponsors we found and our profit greatly increased. Following this concert and after discussing some of the problems that we encountered, the board decided to form a Foundation for the purpose of handling the funds generated by this fundraiser. After consulting an Attorney (Mark Ferrin) for advice, he recommended we form a Foundation. He then created it as a legal entity. thus the Commitment to Agriculture Foundation was organized. The first directors were; Rulon Fowers, Clyde Ellertson, and Cheryl Ferrin.  A checking account was set up and all income and expenses were handled through this foundation.

The third concert was held the last weekend of February 2007. It was also a great success. There were only a few empty seats on Friday night and Saturday night sold out. Following this concert Cheryl informed the remaining directors she would no longer be able to continue because she was leaving the country for 3 years. Shortly thereafter Clyde and Rulon (the remaining directors) asked Melisa Griffith to serve in place of Cheryl thus continuing with 3 board members. Melisa will be the key person in charge of running the foundation and organizing the fundraising events. She will also act as the secretary.  Melisa was offered the opportunity to serve as a board member because of her interest in the growth of the organization, her organizational skills, drive, and history as a former FFA State Officer and 4-H member.  She brings knowledge of both business operation and development to the team.  Her passion for agriculture education includes both youth agriculture programs and education of the public.   Currently the three board members meet monthly to disperse funds and plan for upcoming activities.

Originally the foundation was set up for the purpose of generating funds specifically for scholarships. Since that time there has been sufficient money to not only fund scholarships but to help fund many other youth agricultural activities. It was never intended to fund all activities of an FFA chapter but to help where possible. Our goal is to help in the pursuit of education for the young people involved in FFA and beyond.

 

 

 

Contact Information:

Commitment to Agriculture Foundation
2734 N 5000 W
Hooper, UT  84315
Phone 801.927.7702
Fax 801.730.0775
info@utahcta.org

Current Board Members:

Melisa Griffith
mgriffith@utahcta.org

Rulon Fowers
rfowers@utahcta.org

Clyde Ellertson
cellertson@utahcta.org

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