This summer, youth 4-H leaders across Indiana united in a powerful effort to fight hunger in their local communities—collecting a record-breaking 233,500 pounds of food for 70 food banks statewide.
As part of the Fight Hunger, Stock the Trailer competition—presented by Farm Credit Mid-America and sponsored by Rural 1st—these young leaders turned a friendly rivalry into a statewide movement, earning funds for their organizations while making a real difference in their communities.
“Supporting rural communities and agriculture is at the heart of our mission, and this initiative is a powerful example,” said Natasha Cox, Farm Credit Mid-America’s senior vice president of agricultural lending in Indiana. “Feeding America reports that more than 1 million Hoosiers face food insecurity. It’s inspiring to see our Indiana youth lead innovative efforts to support their communities.”
This marks the fourth consecutive year of record donations in the five-year-old program – with 2025 more than doubling the 2024 total of 108,000 pounds. Just as the amount of donated food increases each year, the number of county fairs and youth leaders increases as well. In 2025, the number of county fairs participating grew from 38 to 42. Lake County in northwest Indiana was the overall state winner, collecting an astounding 75,122 pounds of food.
“Together with my fellow Lake County 4-H leaders and members, we had the opportunity to come together and support those in our community who needed food,” said Annalise Neal, the Lake County junior leader vice president and Crown Point High School student. “The Stock the Trailer food drive not only helped to provide these resources but also fostered conversations about hunger and encouraged everyone to get involved.”
Miami County youth participant, Wyatt Smith, added “Helping with my county’s Stock the Trailer project is important to me because it helps people that don’t have the resources to purchase food, and I feel like a leader in our community by being involved.”
Annabelle Mathena, a sophomore in Jackson County said, “Helping with my county’s stock the trailer project is important to me because I know there are people trying their best and they are struggling getting food in their homes. I know this is a small way for us to be able to help them.”
Every participating county fair received a $500 donation to support activities that build future agriculture leaders. Additional prize dollars were given to the top participating fairs in each of five regions. In total, Farm Credit Mid-America donated $56,000 to 4-H county fairs in Indiana this summer.
Northern Indiana – 96,267 pounds of food
- First Place: Lake County raised 75,122 pounds of food and received $5,000.
- Second Place: LaPorte County raised 9,515 pounds of food and received $1,500.
- Third Place: Fulton County raised 7,720 pounds of food and received $500.
Southeast Indiana – 56,698 pounds of food
- First Place: Jackson County raised 24,320 pounds of food and received $5,000.
- Second Place: Decatur County raised 11,160 pounds of food and received $1,500.
- Third Place: Jennings County raised 8,340 pounds of food and received $500.
West Central Indiana – 46,553 pounds of food
- First Place: Miami County raised 13,055 pounds of food and received $5,000.
- Second Place: Howard County raised 8,116 pounds of food and received $1,500.
- Third Place: Warren County raised 8,020 pounds of food and received $500.
Southwest Indiana – 22,950 pounds of food
- First Place: Monroe County raised 7,357 pounds of food and received $5,000.
- Second Place: Vanderburgh County raised 6,585 pounds of food and received $1,500.
- Third Place: Posey County raised 2,574 pounds of food and received $500.
East Central Indiana – 11,030 pounds of food
- First Place: Wabash County raised 6,125 pounds of food and received $5,000.
- Second Place: Huntington County raised 1,640 pounds of food and received $1,500.
- Third Place: Adams County raised 1,200 pounds of food and received $500.
Lake, Jackson, Miami and Wabash counties were all top finishers in 2024 as well.
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 association contributed nearly $4.5 million to impactful programs—including $1.7 million for youth, college students and young and beginning farmers. Of that, $500,000 supported the next generation of Indiana ag leaders, including $80,000 for Indiana 4-H programs.
