By: Melissa G. Miller
Your $10 donation will ‘Help Them Grow’
Commissioner Quarles visits Grayson County during the 2016 Ag Tag tour.
As March is just around the corner and we begin to focus on warmer weather, we ask that you focus on one task at hand – renewing your farm license plate at the county clerk’s office and make your $10 Ag Tag donation.
Do you have a Kentucky farm license plate on any of your vehicles? Do your neighbors, family members or friends have farm license plates? The Kentucky 4-H Foundation is asking farmers to make the $10 Ag Tag donation in the month of March when renewing your farm license plate. When Kentucky farmers make their donations they are providing Kentucky 4-Her’s in every county opportunities to develop leadership, citizenship, and life skills.
With the continued support from Kentucky Commissioner of Agriculture, Ryan Quarles, the donation is divided equally among Kentucky 4-H, Kentucky FFA, and the Kentucky Department of Agriculture for promotional programs such as Kentucky Proud. “A great way to celebrate being a Kentucky farmer is to donate $10 to the Ag Tag Fund when you purchase your Kentucky Farm License Plate,” Commissioner Quarles said. “Make the donation – and support the future of Kentucky agriculture!”
Boyle County 4-Her’s and FFA members visit with Commissioner Quarles during the 2016 Ag Tag tour.
Over 279,000 youth or 35% of the K-12 grade population participate in Kentucky 4-H programs in all 120 counties. Kentucky continually ranks in the top 10 in several 4-H enrollment categories nationwide. Through the Ag Tag donation all 120 counties in Kentucky will receive fifty percent of the 4-H share donated in their county. Last year Kentucky 4-H received $180,119.05 as its portion of the donations; which was split between the county where the funds originated and the Kentucky 4-H Foundation.
Since 2012, the Ag Tag program has raised over $1.8 million for 4-H, FFA, and the Kentucky Proud Program. Kentucky 4-H has received during that period, $632,002.96; this has made a tremendous impact on 4-H programs across the Commonwealth. This year, we ask that you continue to make your $10 donation for your farm vehicle, helping 4-H grow strong leaders for tomorrow, advance agricultural education in Kentucky and promote Kentucky farm products.
Through your donation as a Kentucky farmer, that means you are giving back to your local county 4-H council. These funds are providing programs and activities that teach children and teens about leadership, citizenship, science, technology, communications, public speaking, agriculture and more. The Kentucky 4-H Foundation uses its share to support statewide 4-H programs including engineering events, the Issues Conference, the Performing Arts Troupe, the 4-H Summit, and state officer scholarships. These funds are ensuring that 4-H remains a vital center of excellence in the Commonwealth.
Commissioner Quarles stopped by Metcalfe County during the 2016 Ag Tag tour.
Making the $10 Ag Tag donation is an excellent opportunity for Kentucky’s farmers to support the youth of their community and help fund the programs that can make a lasting difference in the lives of 4-H members across the Commonwealth.
Last year, over 186,000 farm license plates were bought or renewed. With the support of Kentucky farmers, significant funds can again be generated to help Kentucky 4-H Grow!
Check out this year’s Ag Tag poster – 2016 Ag Tag Poster – Help Them Grow
