Many agricultural companies are investing in rural America to enrich agriculture and the surrounding community. Groups striving to make innovative impacts on agriculture and rural America are receiving $150,000 in grants from Compeer Financial. A total of 13 groups have been selected for grants where Compeer Financial serves as lead investor for a program that fills a known void for clients served by the cooperative.
“This is an opportunity for Compeer to make a big difference where there is a significant gap or need in our territory,” said John Monson, chair of the Compeer Financial Fund for Rural America Board of Trustees. “These programs spark a new project and inspire ideas and skills to shape current and future agriculturalists.”
- Applicants were referred to the program from a Compeer Financial team member and proposals were scored in seven categories:
- Rural or Agricultural — serves Compeer Financial clients and their communities
- Geographic Reach — broad, regional impact
- Replication — could this project be replicated in other regions, with assistance from Compeer, making a greater impact?
- Innovation — is the project new (not administration or straight line funding)?
- Fills a Known Void — addresses a significant void in agricultural and rural markets
- Ability to Collaborate — ability to leverage other funding partners
- Supports Compeer Financial’s Mission — strong correlation to enriching agriculture and rural America
Illinois
- Chicago Botanical Gardens: Farm on Ogden: $30,000 will be used build out a demonstration kitchen space and purchase a tilt kettle to provide cooking classes and locally grown fresh food and vegetables to urban residents.
- Colfax Restoration Project: Downtown Greenspace: $2,700 will provide landscaping, painted murals on buildings and other expenses related to displaying historical items and seating areas.
- Lexington FFA: Agriculture Program Revitalization: $7,500 for carpentry, metalwork, horticulture and aquaculture supplies for the Agriculture Department
- Monmouth Area Chamber of Commerce: Farmers Market Expansion: $4,265 for advertising expenses and indoor facility rental for expanding Farmer’s Market and Winter Market
- Warren-Henderson Farm Bureau: Expanding youth agricultural education: $5,500 for resources for Ag in the Classroom lessons and events
Minnesota
- Main Street Project: Farm Renovations: $50,000 to build a poultry production training unit for next generation of aspiring Latinx agripreneurs
Wisconsin
- Lafayette County UW- Extension: Farming After Dark: $3,000 for promoting local agricultural products with consumers at an annual event.
- Friends of the St Croix County Fairgrounds: Building Construction: $10,000 for construction of a livestock barn and show arena
- Community Clothes Closet: Clothing Project: $1,000 to purchase new socks, underwear, outerwear, shoes and boots
- Safe Families For Children: Operation Safe Families for Homeless: $2,500 for screening and training for new host families
- Sauk County Conservation, Planning and Zoning Department: Soil Health Promotion: $2,500 for speaker costs for Using Soil Health Principles to Build Resilient Soil and Improve Crop Productivity workshop.
- School District of Cambridge: Severson Learning Center, Koshkonong Trails: $21,000 for construction of shelters for livestock and fencing for pasture
- Wisconsin Badger Camp: Program Improvements: $10,000 to complete the purchase of a new tractor to transport campers with disabilities around camp help improve access to programs and facilities.
