Two Area Agriculture Organizations to Benefit From Community 
Foundation Grant

July 6, 2009: More than $44,000 was awarded to two area agricultural organizations in need of equipment and building renovations from The Community Foundation of Frederick County’s Friends of The Great Frederick Fair Fund. 

“The Grants Committee has seen an increase in agricultural based grant requests this past year,” said Gayle Sutch, Director of Donors Services. “There is a real need to help with and to preserve Frederick County’s agricultural heritage.” Sutch said that competitive grant applications from nonprofits providing agriculture education, renovation, construction and maintenance of buildings used to promote agricultural activities and agriculture as an industry and way of life in Frederick County were independently reviewed by the Community Foundation’s Grants Committee. Recommendations were then made to the Board of Trustees, which approved the following grant awards:

The Catoctin Area FFA Alumni Association has been awarded $1,582.32 for new animal holding pens. Paul Schur, President of the Catoctin FFA Alumni Association, said that a growing number of families have shown an interest in adding market goats to the Thurmont/Emmitsburg Community Show, now in its 53rd year. The holding panels will house approximately 10 animals for the annual show as well as for other events throughout the year. 

The Great Frederick Fair was awarded $43,008.25 toward capital improvements of the Domestic Home Arts Building, a cornerstone of the Fair and of agricultural history in Frederick County. Featuring high ceilings with exposed beams and wood-planks, the Domestic Home Arts Building was built in 1922 and is in need of extensive renovation, said Becky Brashear, Executive Assistant of The Great Frederick Fair.

Established in 2006 by Frederick businessman J.R. Ramsburg, Jr., The Friends of the Great Frederick Fair Fund has provided more than $564,000 in grant funding since its inception. Those who wish to support agriculture in Frederick County may make a secure online donation to The Friends of the Great Frederick Fair Fund. To do so, click here. Checks made payable to The Community Foundation of Frederick County with the Fund’s name in the memo line may be mailed to 312 East Church Street, Frederick, Maryland 21701. All donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law.

Since 1986, the Community Foundation has been tailoring the unique charitable dreams of generous donors into charitable funds that benefit a variety of causes throughout Frederick County. As a leading philanthropic organization, the Community Foundation has provided more than $19 million in scholarships and grants throughout Frederick County, creating positive and lasting change for generations to come. For more information about the Community Foundation, log on to www.cffredco.org.