Leslie Jordan and Lisa Shumaker, founders and coordinators of Farm to Family in Marion, Ohio are among visionaries being recognized nationally through Farm Credit 100 Fresh Perspectives, a search to identify and honor 100 leaders who are changing rural communities and agriculture for the better. The honorees were announced at a National Ag Day event at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.
Farm Credit launched the Fresh Perspectives program as part of its 100th anniversary of service to rural communities and agriculture. As honorees Jordan and Shumaker join an impressive list of leaders in agriculture and rural enterprises. They were chosen from over 1,100 nominations from all fifty states. Lisa is an appraiser at Marion AgCredit, and her sister, Leslie, is the Ohio Resident Agent for USDA Packers and Stockyard Program.
“AgCredit is proud of Lisa and Leslie,” says Brian Ricker, President and CEO of AgCredit. “The Fresh Perspectives honorees are inspiring examples of leaders who are creating a brighter, more vibrant future for rural America.”
Leslie Jordan and Lisa Shumaker’s Farm to Family (FTF) is an initiative of the Marion County Farm Bureau which teaches families in need how to prepare nutritious yet affordable meals and connects farmers with consumers. The idea came to them when they realized many food pantry clients didn’t know how to prepare nutritious meals. In the past three years, they’ve helped over 300 families improve their nutrition through their program. At FTF events held at local food pantries and outreach centers, they give demonstrations of simplified recipes and then provide attendees with food to prepare one meal. They also provide a cookbook they developed featuring their simple recipes and include door prize drawings for kitchen items such as: slow cookers, baking dishes and electric skillets. In 2014, FTF planted a sweet corn patch to provide produce to local food pantries. Area farmers help to plant, maintain and harvest the corn. In 2015, the program expanded again by collaborating with a local high school to conduct a series of four educational sessions. Students learned to follow a recipe, prepare meals and the basics of food safety, budgeting and meal planning.
Leslie says, “We are grateful to be recognized as 100 Fresh Perspective Honorees. We saw a need in our community and an opportunity for the agricultural industry to meet that need. The people we serve inspire us to continue serving, and Farm to Family will continue to grow and evolve to meet the needs of our community.” Lisa adds, “We are thankful for the support of the Farm Credit System and AgCredit. We truly enjoy serving our community and connecting farmers to a diverse group of consumers.”
For a complete list of the Farm Credit 100 Fresh Perspectives honorees, visit farmcredit100.com/top100. financial needs of farmers, agribusiness, rural homeowners and rural communities in its 18-county territory. For additional information about AgCredit, please visit www.AgCredit.net.
