Roots and Shoots Apprentice/Internship Grant Program
The Stephenson County Farm Bureau Foundation and the Roots and Shoots fund have set a goal to encourage and assist local agriculture businesses to hire local youth, in the hopes that the youth will explore job opportunities within our community and the agriculture industry. Roots and Shoots assists in funding internships/apprenticeships/employees. As part of a grant program, businesses who are interested in participating will apply for funding in an amount not to exceed $750 per applicant. This funding is intended to be a matching grant with the employer matching or exceeding the requested amount for the grant. The intern/apprentice may be a current employee.
Grant Timeline
- Applications are due on or before June 5, 2026
- Recipients will be announced by June 16, 2026
- Businesses will complete grant reflection on or before August 7, 2026
- Grant checks will be issued to grant recipients by August 17, 2026
- Recipient and sponsor reception will be held on August 17, 2026, at 6:30p.m.
Additional details:
Any businesses that are involved in the agriculture industry or support the agriculture industry are eligible to apply. Organizations and educational institutions are also eligible to apply. Businesses/organizations must have a relation to Stephenson County. This may include but is not limited to businesses located in Stephenson County, owners of businesses who live in Stephenson County and/or intern/apprentice/ employees are Stephenson County residents. Grant payments will be made on August 17, 2026, after the grant reflection has been received and reviewed. Grant funding will only be eligible to those who complete the reflection on time. Applicants will be eligible for grant funding for one to three internships/apprenticeships depending on quantity and quality of applications. Interns and apprentices should be high school and college age individuals not to exceed 23 years of age.
Grant Application Due June 5, 2026