Leadership Ashland Open House and Silent Auction

LA Class of '22 has partnered with Pathfinder Farms and the Rotary Club of Ashland to raise funds for capital improvements at the farm, which teaches young people important life skills. The improvements include:
• A heating and cooling system, which will allow activities to continue regardless of weather conditions.
• A low ropes course that will facilitate training programs with multiple age groups.
• An outdoor pavilion and/or a new building for the young women’s ministry.

“By investing in Pathfinder Farms, our community can contribute to teaching life skills, providing opportunities to develop positive relationships and instilling lessons grounded in faith that help young people excel in life,” said Jon Burkholder, who directs the farm with his wife Sandy. Pathfinder Farms serves youth from Ashland, Richland and surrounding counties.

Now in its eighth year, Pathfinder Farms offers a variety of free activities, such as woodworking, building projects, fishing, hiking, outdoor navigation, gardening and camping. Pathfinder Farms has recently added culinary chef Autumn Bachelder and Life Skills/Facilitator Manager Jacob Blasdel for additional expertise.

The farm has five after-school programs and is now expanding with a local school district collaboration that includes Ashland City Schools. Due to the demand for the programs, Director Jon Burkholder is now dedicated to the venture full time.

What is Leadership Ashland?

In Leadership Ashland’s 10-month Program, participants gain leadership and interpersonal skills, as well as an enhanced understanding of the issues relevant to Ashland County, through monthly sessions. Areas of focus can include community development, economic development, government, health care, law, education, quality of life, sustainability, history, and social services, with sessions featuring community leaders from several of these focus areas. Members of the class also devote a large portion of their time to develop and implement a community project, hence enhancing their leadership abilities, fostering teamwork and benefiting local nonprofit organizations.

Leadership Ashland is a program of the Ashland Area Chamber of Commerce and is dedicated to community leadership and professional development. Established in 1990, Leadership Ashland has graduated more than 700 community leaders. For more information, visit https://ashlandoh.com/programs/leadership-ashland/.

Other ways to donate to Leadership Ashland’s Pathfinder Farms projects:
• Use the online donation form. After completing the donor information, please choose “Leadership Ashland Project” from the drop-down list for the “Select Your Designation Here” field.
• Write a check, payable to Ashland Rotary Service Foundation, and mail it to Rotary Club of Ashland, PO Box 630, Ashland, OH 44805.