Staff report

Mahoning Valley youngsters hoping to start exhibiting livestock at county fairs this summer can get some financial help by applying by March 31 for a new scholarship.

This “fair funding starter scholarship” has been launched to help youth at the start of their fair livestock projects, intended to offset some of the initial investment costs.

As a family-owned, full-service agricultural service provider, Deerfield Ag Services has supported 4-H and Future Farmers of America youth exhibitors at county fairs for decades through participation in county fair livestock auctions. During the 2022 fair season, it is launching a new initiative that will grant funding to individual youth exhibitors.

The scholarship is eligible to students in Mahoning, Trumbull, Columbiana. Portage and Stark counties.

While these scholarships will not likely offset the full cost of getting started, the company hopes to help make it more attainable for junior fair participants to take part in exhibiting the livestock of their choice. The scholarship amounts vary by project, and are:

l Rabbit and poultry — $25

l Goat and lamb — $75

l Horse — up to $100

l Swine — up to $250

l Beef — up to $350

To sign up for the program, students must fill out a brief application at https://deerfield

agservices.com/fair-

funding-starter-scholar

ship-program/ by March 31.

Deerfield Ag Services is a full-service agribusiness with one agronomy and four grain locations throughout northeastern Ohio.

Since 1959, it has offered products and services to area farmers. In addition to its retail business, there is a farming operation, raising corn, soybeans and wheat.

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