Annual competition encourages youth leadership in agriculture and supports local food banks 

Celina, Ohio (August 4, 2025) — The Mercer County Fair is once again joining a growing statewide effort to fight hunger and give back to local community food banks by participating in the Fight the Hunger, Stock the Trailercontest — presented by Farm Credit Mid-America and sponsored by Rural 1st. 

This friendly competition among Ohio county fairs encourages youth leaders to collaborate with their local community to collect food donations for local food banks. From fairground scavenging to club-level contests, participants have found unique ways to rally their communities since the contest first launched in 2021. Mercer County gathered 6,300 pounds of food in 2024 and was the regional contest winner. 

 Scott Laguire, regional vice president for agricultural lending at Farm Credit Mid-America

“We’re excited to bring this initiative back to Ohio county fairs, and to once again see how young people across the state encourage participation.In Mercer County, we know the fair is a gathering place for the whole community, and this contest is a great way to rally people around an important cause that ultimately helps those in need close to home.”

Since its inception, the annual contest, which is also held in Indiana, has collected and donated more than 950,000 pounds of food. This year, participants can also contribute fresh protein from livestock auctions—a reflection of growing interest in additional ways to donate. 

Fairs that participate receive a $500 award, and top-performing counties in each of five regions across the state will earn additional prizes: $5,000 for first place, $1,500 for second place, and $500 for third place. All prize money goes directly back to local 4-H programs, further supporting youth development in rural communities.

League said-

“Ultimately, the true winners are the communities we serve. This contest fuels our purpose to secure rural communities and agriculture by empowering youth leaders and supporting the local food banks who help local families in need.”


Fight Hunger, Stock the Trailer is just one way Farm Credit Mid-America and its consumer lending brand, Rural 1st, invest in rural communities and agriculture. In 2024, the associationcontributed nearly $4.5 million to impactful programs—including $1.7 million for youth, college students and young and beginning farmers. Of that, $450,000 supported the next generation of Ohio ag leaders, including $82,000 for Ohio 4-H programs.

To learn more about Fight the Hunger, Stock the Trailer, or to get involved, contact your local Farm Credit office. 
# # #

About Farm Credit Mid-America

A proud member of the Farm Credit System, 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. The customer-owned cooperative serves more than 145,000 customers and manages a portfolio of $44.1 billion in total earning assets owned and managed. Farm Credit Mid-America’s 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.

 

About Rural 1st®

Rural 1st is the consumer lending division of Farm Credit Mid-America, a financial services cooperative whose purpose is to secure the future of rural communities and agriculture. Rural 1stis the leader in rural lending and helps those who are seeking open spaces get Closer to What Matters®. Rural 1st offers tailored product options for lot, land, construction, and home loans for those who want to live rurally. For more information, call 1-844-GO-RURAL or visit Rural1st.com. NMLS 407249. Equal Housing Lender.