10 • The Beacon November 23 , 2023

Attendees at 64 county fairs across Ohio raised more than 228,000 pounds of food to benefit more than 65 food banks as part of Fight Hunger , Stock the Trailer , a state-wide food drive contest sponsored by Farm Credit Mid-America and Rural 1st . Since 2021 the friendly competition has raised food donations for local food banks across Ohio in collaboration with county fairs .

“ We ’ re proud to see how much our annual Stock the Trailer event has grown since the start of the contest in 2021 ,” said Melanie Strait-Bok , senior vice president of agricultural lending in Ohio . “ Not only does this event allow us to give back to our local communities , but it helps secure the future of agriculture through our donations to junior fair boards .”

Winners were determined by calculating the total weight of all donations at participating fairs throughout five regions in Ohio . Coshocton County did not place in the contest but had a donation of 3,540 pounds .

Farm Credit Mid-America exists to secure the future of rural communities and agriculture as a leading provider of reliable , consistent credit and financial services to farmers , producers , agribusinesses and rural residents in Arkansas , Indiana , Kentucky , Missouri , Ohio and Tennessee . Its products and services include

loans for real estate , operating , equipment , rural living , crop insurance , and vehicle , equipment and building leases . For more information visit www . fcma . com .

Rural 1st is the rural residential lending division of Farm Credit Mid-America , a financial services cooperative whose purpose is to secure the future of rural communities and agriculture . Rural 1st is the leader in rural lending , offering tailored products options for lot , land , construction and home loans to rural consumers living in the territories of participating Farm Credit System Associations .

For more information call 1-844-GO-RURAL or visit www . Rural1st . com .