FarmHouse Foundation News

Help us find our missing Alumni!
(August 22, 2011)

2011-2012 Foundation Scholarships Awarded
(July 18, 2011)

2011 Power of 7 Seminar
(April 27, 2011)

ENCORE! The Charitable IRA legislation is back for a repeat performance!
(December 22, 2010)

NIC Foundation Honors Dick Kruse
(August 18, 2010)

2010-2011 Foundation Scholarships Awarded
(July 8, 2010)

Two Generous Alumni Honored with the FarmHouse Foundation’s Philanthropy Laureate Award
(June 24, 2010)

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2011 Power of 7 Seminar
April 27, 2011

"I can't believe CEOs and presidents of companies and leaders of industry would sit down with seven 20-somethings and give us a chance to not only learn from them, but listen to what we have to say as well," said Scott Henry (IA '09), of his experience at the FarmHouse Foundation's 5th Annual Power of 7 Seminar held last weekend at the FireSky Resort in Scottsdale, Ariz.

The Power of 7 Seminar, a first class think-tank on our Fraternity and the nation, gathered alumni, spouses and seven undergraduate leaders for a weekend of learning, brotherhood and fellowship.

The Seminar kicked off Friday evening with a welcome reception, followed by a Founders' Day dinner and presentation at Greg (CO '67) and Trudy Bamford's home. The evening also included special remarks by Darl Snyder (IA '42), FarmHouse's first full-time Executive Director, including his insights of the history of FarmHouse, how and why he established the Foundation 45 years ago and his advice to keep FarmHouse thriving into the future. On Saturday, Power of 7 donors and Foundation Trustees shared their industry expertise to give a snapshot of the international business climate and economy with an emphasis on agriculture, food and animal safety, nuclear energy, as well as the global marketplace, economy, housing market, health care, automotive industry and technology. Saturday afternoon, participants took time to enjoy Scottsdale. That evening, attendees gathered for the Power of 7 dinner. The Seminar concluded Sunday morning with the undergraduate perspective and a collaboration on the future of the Fraternity and Foundation.

As each alumnus shared their industry expertise, they also offered advice for other attendees, especially to the undergraduates who also received time with an alumnus mentor. The top suggestions for success from the weekend included: never stop learning; anticipate and prepare; choose the right partner; don't be complacent; take risks and dream big; keep your priorities straight; and surround yourself with great people.

"This weekend was an exceptional example of how we are to be Builders of Men. I was surrounded by great men who are doing great things. I'm feeling pressure to get out there and get started doing great things myself, but I also feel an immense sense of comfort as I look around and see others doing the same," said undergraduate attendee Quentin Dudley (NE '09).

A very special thank you to the Power of Seven donors who helped make the weekend possible: Jud Ammons (NC '54), Steve Davis (OK '77), Doug Sims (IL '65), Harold Tuma (KS '52), Jim Herbert (TN '61), Matt Calavan (OK '84), Mike Fayhee (IL '67), Don Ferguson (KS '63), and Jeff Muchow (SD '66).

You can recap the weekend in photos here.

Interested in attending 2012? Save the Date - the 6th Annual Power of 7 Seminar will be held in April 2012. Alumni who make an Annual Fund gift of $7,000 or more during the 2011-2012 fiscal year are invited to attend this memorable and impactful Seminar and have the opportunity to mentor one of FarmHouse's top undergraduates during the weekend. Contact Allison Rickels (Allison@FarmHouse.org) or Bob Off (Bob@FarmHouse.org) for details.

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ENCORE! The Charitable IRA legislation is back for a repeat performance!
Decmber 22, 2010

On Dec. 17, 2010, the Tax Relief Act of 2010 was signed into law, which provides a two-year retroactive extension of the IRA Rollover, encouraging financial support of charitable organizations across the United States. The original provision expired at the end of 2009. The provision is now extended through Dec. 31, 2011. The extension is also retroactive meaning that the tax benefits of the provision apply to any qualified IRA donations made after Dec. 31, 2009.

We were recently informed of this new legislation and wanted to make you aware of this unique opportunity to support the FarmHouse Foundation.

Now, those 70 ½ and older can make gifts to the FarmHouse Foundation today by making direct transfers from your IRA - without paying taxes on the distribution. The transfer generates neither taxable income nor a tax deduction, so you will benefit even if you do not itemize your tax deductions. Previously you would have had to report any amount taken from your IRA as taxable income, then take a charitable deduction for the gift, but only up to 50 percent of your adjusted gross income. In effect, this caused some donors to pay more in income taxes than if they didn't make the gift at all. In addition, your IRA gift can count toward your minimum required distribution as long as you have not received your distribution in this year.

You may contribute funds this way if:

• You are 70½ or older
• The gift is $100,000 or less each year
• You make the gift on or before Dec. 31, 2011
• The extension also includes a provision that allows you to make a qualified donation between Dec. 31, 2010, and Feb. 1, 2011, and deem that those donations were made on Dec. 31, 2010, for tax filing purposes
• You transfer funds directly from an IRA or Rollover IRA
• You transfer the gift outright to one or more public charities

How The Law Works

Pat, age 80, has $450,000 in an IRA and has pledged to give the FarmHouse Foundation $75,000 this year. If Pat transfers $75,000 to the FarmHouse Foundation from the IRA, he will avoid paying income tax on that amount. He cannot, however, claim a charitable deduction. Pat has found an easy way to benefit the FarmHouse Foundation without tax complications.

If he desired, Pat could give more than $100,000. The legislation allows a maximum $100,000 gift in both the 2010 and 2011 tax years. So Pat could give $100,000 each year. If his spouse has an IRA and is 70½ or older, she can also give up to $100,00 each year.

How to Make a Gift

You will need to contact your IRA Administrator and have them send a check directly to The FarmHouse Foundation (Tax ID# 36-6111880), 7306 NW Tiffany Springs Pkwy, Suite 210, Kansas City, MO 64153. It is wise to consult tax professionals if you are contemplating a gift under the new law.

Contact Us

If you have questions or for more information please contact Allison Rickels (800-722-1905) or Bob Off (voice mail 816-799-0817) on how this tax-saving opportunity can benefit you.

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Two Generous Alumni Honored with the FarmHouse Foundation’s Philanthropy Laureate Award
June 24, 2010

Two alumni of FarmHouse International Fraternity will be honored with the FarmHouse Foundation’s Philanthropy Laureate award, its most prestigious honor. Jon Ellis (IA ’84) has been named the 2009 Philanthropy Laureate and Randy Linville (KS ’73) has been named the 2010 Laureate.

The Philanthropy Laureates recognition was established in 1999 by the FarmHouse Foundation Board of Trustees. This distinguished designation for outstanding philanthropic support is the highest honor bestowed by the Foundation.  The recipient(s) must have exhibited great philanthropic intent throughout his/her life and have some connection with a FarmHouse brother, spouse, parent, relative, etc.  Often the recipient is an individual who has made financial and service contributions of significant dimension to the Foundation, individual FarmHouse chapters and/or society. Recipients may be chosen annually, but are recognized at the Fraternity’s biennial Conclave. Since its inception, only 12 men have been named Philanthropy Laureates.

“Jon Ellis and Randy Linville are truly exemplars of the type of person the Foundation seeks to recognize through its Philanthropy Laureate Award,” said Allison Rickels, FarmHouse Foundation executive director, in announcing the recipients. “We are grateful for and humbled by their continued generosity. Both have been visionary leaders for the Foundation, serving as executive officers of the Foundation during their tenure as Trustees and each has been the right leader at the right time – Jon with his leadership as fundraising chair during Campaign 2005, and Randy for his leadership as Foundation Chairman during the executive director transition between Bob Off and me. Their passion, enthusiasm and generosity for FarmHouse is inspiring. This award is a small gesture of our appreciation for what they’ve given to Building the Leaders of Tomorrow.”

Jon Ellis (IA ’84), the 2009 recepient, is a former member of the FarmHouse Foundation Board of Trustees (1997-2004) and is one of the Foundation’s major benefactors. As a Trustee, Jon helped to initiate the Foundation’s first capital campaign, Campaign 2005 and he served as chairman of the fund-raising committee. Jon and his wife Juli made the first major gift to Campaign 2005. Jon also helped the Board keep the focus and emphasis on building the Campaign 2005 Endowment Fund. In 2004, he received the Foundation’s Campaign 2005 Acorn Award, which was given to six key individuals who had the vision, leadership, faith and generosity to make Campaign 2005 a reality.  He participated in the 2009 Power of 7 Seminar, when he contributed over $7,000 to the Annual Fund in the 2008-2009 fiscal year and sponsored an undergraduate to attend the Seminar.  He is a member of the Century Club, the Foundation’s highest accumulative giving club, for gifts of $100,000 and more. Jon is President and CEO of Paradise Park, Inc., Kansas City’s premier family destination with an award-winning Children’s Edutainment Center. Jon is involved with his community and numerous non-profit organizations, including serving as president of Powell Gardens, Lee’s Summit (Mo.) Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Lee’s Summit Health Care Foundation. Jon graduated from Iowa State University and received his Master’s degree from the University of Missouri. Jon and Juli have two sons and live in Lee’s Summit, Mo. 

Randy Linville (KS ’73), the 2010 recipient, is past Chairman (2006-08) and former Trustee (2002-2008) of the Foundation’s Board of Trustees, providing outstanding leadership during his tenure. Randy spearheaded the Foundation’s current strategic plan as well as led the executive search efforts and transition between executive directors Bob Off and Allison Rickels. In 2008, as CEO of The Scoular Company, he was instrumental in the company’s generous donation of office furniture to the FarmHouse International Office.  He is a member of the Century Club, the Foundation’s highest accumulative giving club, for gifts of $100,000 and more. He has established the Linville Endowment Fund, which provides income to be used at the Trustees’ discretion. Randy also participated in the 2010 Power of 7 Seminar, contributing over $7,000 to the Annual Fund in the 2009-2010 fiscal year and sponsoring an undergraduate to attend the Seminar. He has also generously included FarmHouse in his estate plans.  Randy possesses more than three decades of experience and success as a commodity market trader, international business executive and corporate board leader in the agriculture and commodity industry. He is the immediate past President and CEO of The Scoular Company. He served in this role from 1999-2009, beginning his career with Scoular in 1984. The Scoular Company is a century-old agricultural marketing company located across North America, shipping goods around the globe. Randy earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Kansas State University. In addition to being a large shareholder in The Scoular Company, he is a member of The Economics Club of Kansas City, the National Association of Corporate Directors, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. He serves on the Board of Directors of the One Hundred X Foundation. He and his wife Debbie and their two children live in Leawood, Kansas.

These two recipients will be honored on Saturday, August 7, at the FarmHouse Foundation’s Alumni Dinner during the Fraternity’s 46th Biennial Conclave, August 4-8 in Columbus, Ohio. To learn more about Conclave, visit the FarmHouse web site, www.FarmHouse.org, for event details and registration information.  

The FarmHouse Foundation is a 501(c)3 public educational foundation supporting the educational and leadership programs of the Fraternity as well as providing scholarships to individual members for academic achievement. FarmHouse International Fraternity is a men’s international agriculturally-related fraternity founded in 1905 that seeks to build men intellectually, spiritually, socially, morally and physically. FarmHouse is located on 35 campuses throughout the United States and Canada, with 1,400 undergraduates and 25,000 living alumni.