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Frank Giammarino
675-1940
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Lori Tragesser
675-1941
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Megan Zanto
675-1943
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Valerie Stapleton
675-1942
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Agribusiness Endowment

A new initiative, enhancing the definitive Tipton County way of life.

Joseph K. Orr, a retired Delco engineer who has lived and —and gardened— on his family's Tipton County farm for more than eighty years, has made a significant gift to TCF as the founding donor of our new Agribusiness Endowment.

To begin the celebration of its Twenty-Fifth Anniversary (Now through December 2011), the Foundation has launched this fund, which will be used to promote all aspects of Tipton County’s agricultural heritage and future. The scope of projects that it can fund may include gardening, 4-H and FFA, nutrition, family farming, livestock, forestry, seed production, research, marketing, soil and water conservation, the farmers’ market, renewable energy, attracting recent college graduates to return—and anything else prospective grantees may propose to add value to the effort to encourage this vocation.

Joe Orr has been one of the most consistent donors throughout TCF’s history, and has made major gifts to support causes that matter to him. You, family members who have moved away, your company, clubs, high school class, or other organizations can join Joe as supporters of this new fund.

Levels of Support

Donors of a personally significant gift or series of gifts totaling $1,000 or more during our Silver Anniversary Year (by Dec. 31, 2011) will be recognized.

Co-Founders: $100,000 (minimum of $25,000 in 2010 or 2011, and at least $25,000 per year in 2012, 2013, and 2014)

Harvesters: $25,000 (minimum of $6,250 in 2010 or 2011, and at least $6,250 per year in 2012, 2013, and 2014)

Growers: $10,000 (minimum of $2,500 in 2010 or 2011, and at least $2,500 per year in 2012, 2013, and 2014)

Planters: $5,000 (minimum of $1,250 in 2010 or 2011, and at least $1,250 per year in 2012, 2013, and 2014)

Sowers: $1,000 minimum in any one calendar year through 2014

The Agribusiness Field of Interest Fund (#576) at the Tipton County Foundation is endowed to support a range of projects that encourage individuals and groups to engage in education, research, and experiences that foster the archetypal Tipton County way of life.

A Strategic Agribusiness Investment Plan for Tipton County may include such goals as:

• Identify prospects and secure contributions from local donors to support agribusiness activities and the endowment.
   
• Promote or create awards and recognition of local families and individuals with significant achievement in the field, considering such factors as quality, longevity, economic impact, innovation, and creativity.
   
• Establish a cooperative community of creative businesses, researchers, and growers in Tipton County to attract like-minded development. This could include small agriculture businesses, such as organic producers, to expand an outlet for locally-grown food and food products, which is a rapidly-growing consumer-driven market segment.
   
• Advocate for historic and cultural preservation and restoration of significant sites and landmarks.
   
• Provide entrepreneurial training for the agricultural sector and related investment strategies to support innovation and risk-taking.
   
• Explore ideas to make appreciation of the many aspects of agriculture an enriching part of every residents’ life.

Following the model used successfully by the Women’s Fund (#560) at the Tipton County Foundation, a committee of donors, farmers, and other business leaders will be recruited, to advise the Foundation on grants from the Agribusiness Endowment Fund. This committee can request proposals, and work with schools, organizations, and other interest groups in making its recommendations to TCF. The committee would also give leadership to plans for growing the endowment over time.

Donations on Line by Credit Card

Donors can make a safe online credit card donation through the JustGive service at Just Give Online!. Sorry, we cannot accept credit cards on the phone or in our office.

Last modified: Friday, April 13, 2012