Running for Agricultural Resilience in Africa - 5k & 10k Run/Walk Fundraiser - To benefit Bethel Agricultural Association

Running for Agricultural Resilience in Africa

Combating Food Insecurity in Ethiopia

5k or 10k - Run or Walk

Come enjoy a walk or run through the beautiful Secrest Arboretum and campus of The Ohio State University Wooster Campus (OARDC). Are you too far from Wooster for an adventure in the arboretum, but still interested in #RunningForAgriculturalResilienceInAfrica? Don't worry! Join us virtually instead! Want to support your friends or family members in their walk or run? You can sponsor their run too!

Bethel Agricultural Association, Inc. (BAA) is excited to host a 5k/10k Run/Walk fundraiser. BAA is a nonprofit locally based in Wooster, OH, and is working with their Ethiopian partner organization to build an agricultural and environmental university and training center in Woliso, Ethiopia. BAA's mission is to impart environmental and agricultural knowledge and skills that will enable Ethiopians and other Africans to protect their environment and practice sustainable agriculture.

Event Fundraising Focus: The focus of this year's fundraiser is on BAA's next project: (1) to construct a building with guest rooms to serve visitors and a computer/reading room to serve as an initial library that will provide resources such as scanners, internet access, and books/materials that have been donated (photo below); and (2) to construct a dining/kitchen building to support teams staying at the BAA project site for programs such as workshops.

BAA has acquired ~30 acres of land (pictured below) for the university and training center and has held several workshops for farmers, agricultural professionals, and community leaders. Check out more of BAA's progress towards its mission HERE. 

Ethiopia, the second-most populous country in Africa, has a long history that spans back to the time (and before) when the Queen of Sheba visited King Solomon in Jerusalem. Because of a rapidly increasing population and land degradation, food insecurity has become a major problem in Ethiopia, and due to recent events, food insecurity is worsening (https://reliefweb.int/disaster/dr-2015-000109-eth). The United Nations conducted a study indicating that agricultural education and research were five times more effective in reducing food insecurity than any other type of investment.

Join BAA in developing a university and training center that will serve as a resource for Ethiopians to move toward a vibrant and thriving environmental and agricultural landscape by #RunningforAgriculturalResilienceInAfrica. 

Funds raised that are not directly allocated to event expenses will go toward the establishment of the agricultural and environmental university and training center in Ethiopia.

 Event Information

When:

Starts: Saturday, October 2, 2021, at 9:00 am.

Where:

Secrest Arboretum Welcome and Education Center, 2122 Williams Rd, Wooster, OH 44691. Access Google Maps HERE. 

Specific routes will be posted soon so check back here.

Awards and Goodies:

Top runners will be awarded for both the 5k and 10k. 

Participants will receive a finisher certificate, snacks and drinks, and a goodie bag.

Individual Sponsors:

The purpose of this event is to raise funds for the establishment of a university and training center in Ethiopia to improve food security. Runners and walkers are encouraged to raise sponsorship for their participation in the event. Sponsorship of a specific runner or walker can be done by using the "Sponsor a Runner or Walker" registration option. 

NOTE: On-site registration will be available, but t-shirt availability is not be guaranteed.

We are looking forward to a great event! - The BAA Team