The U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance (USFRA) has launched a new foundation with a mission of furthering agricultural education and understanding of agriculture among America’s consumers including young people and millennials.

The U.S. Farming and Ranching Foundation (USFRF) is the result of a collaborative effort led by the agriculture and food industry to expand the dialogue with consumers regarding food production in America according to inaugural Chairman Jim Blome, President & CEO of Bayer CropScience LP. “This new foundation will further ag education and consumer understanding about food, by developing educational-based tools and interactive consumer programs, that serve as a unified effort to reach Americans in ways in which they want to learn about modern agriculture,” says Blome.

Listen to Chuck’s interview with Jim about the new Foundation here: Jim Blome, Chair, USFRF

One of the foundation’s initial projects is developing a curriculum guide that will be made available to high school students nationwide. The documentary film, FARMLAND, which gives viewers the opportunity to step inside the world of agriculture for a first-hand glimpse into the lives of young farmers and ranchers, will serve as the guide’s core. The curriculum will supplement efforts to bring to life many of the themes covered in the film, and serve as an educational resource for high school teachers interested in content focused on food choices, agriculture, sustainability, entrepreneurship, food issues, antibiotics, GMOs and crop inputs in agriculture, and marketing.

In addition to Blome, USFRF’s inaugural Board of Directors includes:
• Don Borgman, inaugural USFRF Secretary-Treasurer and Director, Agricultural Industry Relations, John Deere (retired)
• Nancy Kavazanjian, USFRA Chairwoman, and United Soybean Board Director
• Forrest Roberts, former CEO, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association
• John Becherer, CEO, United Soybean Board
• Randy Krotz, inaugural USFR Foundation CEO, and CEO, U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance

USFRF plans to identify, and seek funding sources that will establish and support potential scholarship opportunities as well as innovative programs designed to provide consumers with timely, honest and accurate answers about their food.