{"id":8546,"date":"2026-09-21T11:37:04","date_gmt":"2026-09-21T15:37:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/youmakethedifference.com\/staging\/?p=8546"},"modified":"2026-10-03T14:26:58","modified_gmt":"2026-10-03T18:26:58","slug":"stronger-fairs-start-with-people","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/youmakethedifference.com\/staging\/stories\/stronger-fairs-start-with-people\/","title":{"rendered":"Stronger fairs start with the people behind them"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"8546\" class=\"elementor elementor-8546\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ad100001 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"ad100001\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ad100003 elementor-widget elementor-widget-template\" data-id=\"ad100003\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" 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tabindex=\"-1\">Contact<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\t\t\t<\/nav>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5fd45c73 e-flex e-con-full e-con e-child\" data-id=\"5fd45c73\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-808b6310 e-flex e-con-full e-con e-child\" data-id=\"808b6310\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2ce9c239 elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget-mobile__width-initial elementor-align-left elementor-mobile-align-justify elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"2ce9c239\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-md\" href=\"https:\/\/app.youmakethedifference.com\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">YMTD App<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/header>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<main class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-61ce8270 e-flex e-con-full e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"61ce8270\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" id=\"main-content\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a939a8be e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"a939a8be\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fa54e57f elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"fa54e57f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"https:\/\/youmakethedifference.com\/staging\/stories\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">\u2190 All stories<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d09030b3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"d09030b3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">YMTD Initiative \u00b7 Fairs &amp; Ag Societies<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-84f2adf4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"84f2adf4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Stronger fairs start with the people behind them<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9e0e6253 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"9e0e6253\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Program story \u00b7 Published September 21, 2026<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-be1cfca0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"be1cfca0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Fair boards and volunteers carry more than an event calendar. They help keep a place for their community to come together.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-14986e29 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"14986e29\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"2048\" height=\"834\" src=\"https:\/\/youmakethedifference.com\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Foundation-group-\u2014-Jacksonville-Florida.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-8534\" alt=\"Workshop participants gather for a group photograph in Jacksonville, Florida.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/youmakethedifference.com\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Foundation-group-\u2014-Jacksonville-Florida.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/youmakethedifference.com\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Foundation-group-\u2014-Jacksonville-Florida-300x122.jpg 300w, https:\/\/youmakethedifference.com\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Foundation-group-\u2014-Jacksonville-Florida-1024x417.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/youmakethedifference.com\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Foundation-group-\u2014-Jacksonville-Florida-768x313.jpg 768w, https:\/\/youmakethedifference.com\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Foundation-group-\u2014-Jacksonville-Florida-1536x626.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/youmakethedifference.com\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Foundation-group-\u2014-Jacksonville-Florida-1320x538.jpg 1320w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\">Participants gathered in Jacksonville, Florida. Photograph supplied by the Foundation.<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-531f40c3 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"531f40c3\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1af00497 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"1af00497\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0d449157 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"0d449157\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">The people behind the fair<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4e0f8f9d elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4e0f8f9d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>A county fair depends on the people who give their time to it: board members, volunteers, and local leaders. Recruiting help, sharing responsibility, and preparing the next generation of leadership are part of that work.<\/p><p>The YMTD Initiative starts with those people. Its purpose is to equip the leaders of fairs and agricultural societies with practical support to lead, adapt, and sustain the institutions their communities value.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-81ccd902 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"81ccd902\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Practical learning. Continued support.<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bf3e47c5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"bf3e47c5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The initiative combines face to face workshops with training materials, the YMTD mobile app, and opportunities to connect with other leaders. The published program addresses challenges including volunteer shortages, leadership fatigue, and financial sustainability.<\/p><p>The Foundation\u2019s contribution is to bring training, tools, and connections within reach. Local boards and volunteers bring their knowledge of the place they serve.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d9c4ffc3 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"d9c4ffc3\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9a0819dd elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"9a0819dd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"2048\" height=\"956\" src=\"https:\/\/youmakethedifference.com\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Foundation-workshop-\u2014-June-9-2026.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-8531\" alt=\"Participants discuss workshop materials around U-shaped tables while a facilitator leads the session.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/youmakethedifference.com\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Foundation-workshop-\u2014-June-9-2026.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/youmakethedifference.com\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Foundation-workshop-\u2014-June-9-2026-300x140.jpg 300w, https:\/\/youmakethedifference.com\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Foundation-workshop-\u2014-June-9-2026-1024x478.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/youmakethedifference.com\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Foundation-workshop-\u2014-June-9-2026-768x359.jpg 768w, https:\/\/youmakethedifference.com\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Foundation-workshop-\u2014-June-9-2026-1536x717.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/youmakethedifference.com\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Foundation-workshop-\u2014-June-9-2026-1320x616.jpg 1320w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\">Participants discuss workshop materials during a facilitated training session. June 9, 2026.<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4ca1b8dd e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"4ca1b8dd\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2feca465 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"2feca465\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5cb2f81d elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"5cb2f81d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">A participant\u2019s perspective<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-10ecbaec elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"10ecbaec\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">\u201cHe gave us all a ton of knowledge that we can and will work with.\u201d<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3b9be967 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3b9be967\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong>Tommy Matthews<\/strong><br>Participant feedback published on the YMTD Initiative page.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2ee93ae6 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"2ee93ae6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-011d2dfc elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"011d2dfc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">What people take away<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-037b4b3d elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"037b4b3d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>In feedback shared on the initiative\u2019s website, Junia Seamans Norris described learning about building buy in and considering how people want to feel when they visit a fair.<\/p><p>These reflections speak to practical learning and the intention to put it to work. Following what boards do next will show how that learning supports their fairs over time.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-da8aa97b elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"da8aa97b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"481\" src=\"https:\/\/youmakethedifference.com\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Foundation-group-\u2014-Alexandria-Kentucky.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-8533\" alt=\"Workshop participants gather for a group photograph in Kentucky.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/youmakethedifference.com\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Foundation-group-\u2014-Alexandria-Kentucky.jpg 640w, https:\/\/youmakethedifference.com\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Foundation-group-\u2014-Alexandria-Kentucky-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\">Participants gathered in Alexandria, Kentucky. Photograph supplied by the Foundation.<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-72a22bed elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"72a22bed\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Read more about the workshops, continuing resources, and participant feedback on the <a href=\"https:\/\/youmakethedifference.com\/staging\/fair-board-training\/\">YMTD Initiative page<\/a>.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d79df1d5 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"d79df1d5\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-30fec954 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"30fec954\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Bring practical support to your fair.<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0d49ea68 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"0d49ea68\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Explore the YMTD Initiative for fairs and agricultural societies, or talk with us about your community.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4c8adaec e-flex e-con-full e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"4c8adaec\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b3a0a75c elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"b3a0a75c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"https:\/\/youmakethedifference.com\/staging\/fair-board-training\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Explore the YMTD Initiative<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c3d62961 elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"c3d62961\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"https:\/\/youmakethedifference.com\/staging\/contact\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Talk with us<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e365f424 elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"e365f424\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"https:\/\/youmakethedifference.com\/staging\/stories\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">\u2190 Explore all stories<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/main>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ad100002 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"ad100002\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ad100004 elementor-widget elementor-widget-template\" data-id=\"ad100004\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"template.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-template\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"section\" data-elementor-id=\"8506\" class=\"elementor elementor-8506\" data-elementor-post-type=\"elementor_library\">\n\t\t\t<footer class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1452985d e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"1452985d\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4add2c67 e-con-boxed e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"4add2c67\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f6a90bef e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"f6a90bef\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-99ddcf33 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"99ddcf33\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-afbc0360 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"afbc0360\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/youmakethedifference.com\/staging\/foundation-preview\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"153\" src=\"https:\/\/youmakethedifference.com\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/foundation-logo-1-1.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-8398\" alt=\"You Make THE Difference Foundation\" srcset=\"https:\/\/youmakethedifference.com\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/foundation-logo-1-1.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/youmakethedifference.com\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/foundation-logo-1-1-300x46.jpg 300w, https:\/\/youmakethedifference.com\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/foundation-logo-1-1-768x118.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-34f2ffa9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"34f2ffa9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Strengthening rural communities today for a more vibrant tomorrow.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e74e9bd4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"e74e9bd4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Serving communities across the United States and Canada.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9f3b724b e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"9f3b724b\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0f201616 elementor-align-right elementor-mobile-align-left elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"0f201616\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"https:\/\/youmakethedifference.com\/staging\/contact\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Bring a Program to Your Community<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8b953d98 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"8b953d98\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4e4d92da e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"4e4d92da\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b828a7f6 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"b828a7f6\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-322b6005 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"322b6005\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">The Foundation<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c05f629c elementor-align-start elementor-icon-list--layout-traditional elementor-list-item-link-full_width elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon-list\" data-id=\"c05f629c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon-list.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"elementor-icon-list-items\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/youmakethedifference.com\/staging\/\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Home<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/youmakethedifference.com\/staging\/about\/\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">About the Foundation<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/youmakethedifference.com\/staging\/about\/foundation-team\/\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Foundation Team<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/youmakethedifference.com\/staging\/contact\/\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Contact<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2071a777 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"2071a777\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fece9d7b elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"fece9d7b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Our Initiatives<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-171ebf91 elementor-align-start elementor-icon-list--layout-traditional elementor-list-item-link-full_width elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon-list\" data-id=\"171ebf91\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon-list.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"elementor-icon-list-items\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/youmakethedifference.com\/staging\/empoweringminds\/\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Empowering Minds<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/youmakethedifference.com\/staging\/fair-board-training\/\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Fairs &amp; Ag Societies<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/youmakethedifference.com\/staging\/rural-business-leadership\/\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">People Build Prosperity<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/youmakethedifference.com\/staging\/rural-education\/\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Building the Citizen of Tomorrow<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/youmakethedifference.com\/staging\/rural-civic-leadership\/\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Public Service, Lasting Impact<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/youmakethedifference.com\/staging\/rural-institute\/\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Rural Institute<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-480faf66 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"480faf66\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0a54161f elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"0a54161f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Get Involved<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-86221937 elementor-align-start elementor-icon-list--layout-traditional elementor-list-item-link-full_width elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon-list\" data-id=\"86221937\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon-list.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"elementor-icon-list-items\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/youmakethedifference.com\/staging\/partners\/\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Partner With Us<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/app.youmakethedifference.com\" target=\"_blank\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Open the YMTD App<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8b79c6a1 e-con-boxed e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"8b79c6a1\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5145d88b e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"5145d88b\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-48f548f6 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"48f548f6\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-249332f8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"249332f8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\u00a92026 You Make THE Difference Foundation. All Rights Reserved.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fa80737e elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"fa80737e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Website Development and Design by Marketing Igniter<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d61a26c3 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"d61a26c3\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e9a779b5 elementor-align-start elementor-icon-list--layout-traditional elementor-list-item-link-full_width elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon-list\" data-id=\"e9a779b5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon-list.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div 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