Grant Request Bearapy
Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form
Organization Name: Bearapy
Legal Name (if Different):
Also Known As:
Mailing Address: 5512 West 20th
City: Pine Bluff
State: AR
Postal Code: 71603
Main Phone: 8706921553
Main Fax:
Organization Website: www.bearapy.org
Employer ID Number: 87-3540382
Organization Tax Status: 501c3 nonprofit
Proposal Information
Today’s Date: 3/14/26
Requested Amount: 10,000
Project Title: Lead the Land Youth Leadership Institute
Project Description:
The Lead the Land Youth Leadership Institute is a two-day immersive leadership and agriculture education retreat designed for middle school youth ages 11–13 (grades 6–8). The program introduces young people to leadership development, teamwork, and agricultural career pathways through hands-on learning and outdoor experiences.
Agriculture plays a vital role in sustaining communities and the national economy, yet many young people have limited understanding of where their food comes from or the wide range of careers connected to land stewardship and food production. Lead the Land addresses this gap by engaging youth early and helping them develop leadership skills while exploring agriculture as a meaningful and impactful career field.
Participants are selected based on interest, leadership potential, and recommendations from educators or community members. The 2026 program will take place June 19–20 at a cabin retreat center where youth will participate in leadership workshops, team-building challenges, agricultural education activities, and collaborative projects that encourage problem-solving and communication skills.
Program activities include leadership exercises, crop and food system education, outdoor learning experiences, and community-building activities such as a movie night and team dessert challenge. These shared experiences foster confidence, friendship, and a deeper connection to land stewardship and responsible leadership.
The program currently serves ten students annually but has the capacity to expand to as many as twenty-five youth with additional funding. Grant support will help cover lodging, transportation, educational materials, staffing and chaperone stipends, meals, and program supplies.
Lead the Land is designed to become an annual youth leadership opportunity with seasonal retreats that reflect different agricultural cycles. By investing in young people during this critical developmental stage, the program helps cultivate leadership, curiosity, and awareness of workforce opportunities while equipping youth with the confidence and skills needed to succeed in school, careers, and community life.
Total Project Budget: 16,250
Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): 1. Charles and Joan Hermanowski Family Foundation, $10,000 (Potential); 2. Organizational Contribution (program staffing, planning, coordination), $3,000 – Committed; 3. Participant Contributions / Registration Fees $1,250, (Potential); 4. Local Sponsorships / Community Support $2,000 (Potential)
Project Duration: March 1, 2026 – August 31, 2026 – Project planning and participant recruitment will begin in March 2026. The Lead the Land Youth Leadership Institute retreat will take place June 19–20, 2026. Post-program evaluation, participant feedback, and planning for future retreats will occur in July and August 2026.
Geographical Area Served: Pine Bluff, Arkansas (Jefferson County) and surrounding Southeast Arkansas communities. The program serves middle school youth from the Pine Bluff area, a rural agricultural region where opportunities for leadership development and exposure to agricultural career pathways are limited.
Age Group To Be Served: Middle school youth ages 11–13 (grades 6–8). Participants are selected based on interest in agriculture, leadership potential, and recommendations from educators or community leaders.
Contact Information
Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.): Mrs.
Contact First Name: Kanesha
Contact Last Name: Barnes-Adams
Contact Title: Founder/CEO
Contact Phone: 870-692-1553
Contact Email: kaneshabarnes@gmail.com