The Northeast Agricultural Education Foundation, originally the Agway Foundation, was established to promote the development of agricultural leadership and a better understanding of agriculture and agricultural-related activities within the Northeastern United States. As a private foundation, it focuses on supporting education and leadership training organizations that serve the interests of farmers and rural communities primarily in the northeastern U.S through financial support and engagement in lawful activities deemed appropriate by its Board of Directors.
The foundation's grant program is designed to nurture agricultural leadership and enhance public understanding of agriculture and food production systems in the Northeast. It aims to provide financial aid to organizations that qualify under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, focusing on programs or projects that are statewide or larger. The grants specifically support entities promoting agricultural leadership development, improving the understanding of agriculture, and enhancing the quality of life for farmers. Key areas of interest include agricultural leadership training, agricultural education, education about how food is produced and processed, and promoting farm safety awareness. The target demographic for these initiatives includes citizens, particularly youth, and aims to cover geographic areas primarily within the northeastern United States.