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NAF NewsSee List of Articles |
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NAF SEEKS TO EXPAND PROGRAMS Dec 11, 2002 --- SUPPORTING NEVADA AGRICULTURE IS NAF'S GOAL AND YOU CAN HELP The Nevada Agricultural Foundation began in 1976 when a group of University of Nevada College of Agriculture alumni met over coffee to discuss how they could support and advance Nevada agriculture. Emerging as a worthwhile mission was educational assistance to Nevada high school graduates desiring to make their life's work farming and ranching, or an associated field. A goal, also, was to fund some 4-H and FFA actvities and selected agricultural research.Now, 28 years later (corrected to year 2005), the Foundation has awarded over $1,000,000 toward achieving their mission. Many Nevada parents are aware of Foundation activities since their sons and daughters have received the educational grants. Most of the young Nevada recipients have come from rural and often small schools located in such towns as Alamo, Eureka, Wells, Elko, Winnemucca, Yerington and Smith Valley. The performance of these students at major colleges and universities has reflected well on their parents, schools and the Nevada Agricultural Foundation. Granting some exceptions, most have posted University GPA's well above the required 2.8 in curriculums such as pre-veterinary medicine and biochemistry. This caliber of young person when returning home to participate in the business of growing food, has created advocates for the future of Nevada agriculture An example is Tom Barnes, Elko County rancher. Tom received a NAF educational grant as a UNR undergraduate. Additionally, Tom was awarded a Foundation post graduate internship in 1991. It allowed him to serve with the Helming Group of Lenexa, Kansas for four months. He was introduced to and experienced everything from commodity futures to estate planning. Tom indicated it was a great learning opportunity. Today, he serves as NAF President and donates time on other boards as a way of paying back for the experience he was provided. NAF believes this is an investment in Nevada's farming and ranching future. NAF has been able to help these young Nevadans plus award funding to 4-H, FFA and for agricultural research by utilizing interest and dividends from investments of donor gifts, donations, and bequests. Performance of investment markets the past two years has shown NAF that to maintain current programs or expand, help is needed. The Foundation feels the greatest beneficiaries of their efforts may wish to invest in Nevada's agriculture by helping support NAF programs. These beneficiaries are agricultuiral producers and related businesses. The Nevada Agricultural Foundation was organized under the laws of the State of Nevada as a nonprofit organization. It is a tax exempt entity that qualifies under 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code. This means you can deduct your contributions of either property or money within limits of the Internal Revenue Code. NAF immediate past President Dick McDougal of Lovelock has said, "we are evaluating ways contributions can be equitable, modest and continue on a sustaining basis. The Foundation works hard at satisfying the specific wishes of donors. We also recognize our mission is not a lot different than other agricultural organizations and that donors have choices. We ask, though, that possible contributors consider NAF in gift giving and estate planning." Donations to the Foundation may take the form of gifts of cash, securities, real property, life insurance, wills and bequests, memorials and others. Further information may be obtained by writing the Nevada Agricultural Foundation. P.O. Box 780, Lovelock, Nevada 89419 or click on the web at nvagfoundation.org.
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