$5,000 is a significant amount of money—which is how much the top county 4-H clubs in the state will win this county fair season with the fourth-annual “Fight the Hunger, Stock the Trailer” food drive challenge—supported by Farm Credit Mid-America and Rural 1st.
The food drive challenge will pit the county fairs against each other to see which county’s 4-H youth and Junior Leaders organization can collect the most pounds in food donations for their trailer.
“So far this year, we have over 35 county fairs that have verbally committed to participate, and from what we’re hearing from these counties, they are more excited and more competitive than ever,” says Emily Greenwald, who serves as an Account Specialist with Farm Credit Mid-America’s Bloomington office.
She says that this year’s contest will have five times the number of grand-prize winners as last year.
“This year, we are going to be doing things a little bit differently in Indiana,” says Greenwald. “We’re splitting the state into five different regions (shown on map above) where the counties will be competing on a regional basis for those top prizes. Now, the top prizes are going to stay the same with $5,000 for the first place for each region. We’re also awarding $1,500 for the second place and $500 for third places in each region as well.”
All of the counties that are participating will receive at least $250, but if those counties collect over 1,000 pounds in food donations, then that amount increases to $500.
Last year, the Jackson County 4-H Goat Club won the “Fight the Hunger, Stock the Trailer” challenge during the 2024 Jackson County Fair in Brownstown by collecting the most food by weight—16,300 pounds! Not only did the Jackson County 4-H Club win the top prize of $5,000 in 2024, but they also won the challenge in 2022.
“The real winners are in our communities,” says Greenwald. “Last year, Indiana 4-H fairs stocked their trailers with more than 100,000 lbs. of food. Those food banks are receiving those essential supplies to stock their shelves. We also have our youth and adult volunteers working together and collaborating in a fun and meaningful way with our county fairs to receive those funds for their programs to help shape their future leaders.”
There’s still time for your local 4-H club at your county fair to sign up to be a part of the “Fight the Hunger, Stock the Trailer” food drive challenge. Just reach out to your local Farm Credit Mid-America office. You can also find more info at fcma.com.
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