For the third consecutive year, ACH Seeds has donated to organizations in its customers’ growing regions through its Homegrown Giving program, which supports initiatives that enhance rural communities.
“Our roots in the community run wide and deep,” says Andy Finkral, ACH Seeds sales leader. “We’re honored to partner with countless generous individuals and organizations dedicated to making a difference. Through our Homegrown Giving program, we proudly support those who positively impact the places they call home.”
Local community members and sugarbeet growers submitted nominations for the award. A collaborative panel, including local growers, industry representatives, and local ACH Seeds sales team members, reviewed submissions and selected recipients based on several factors. Most importantly, they considered the organizations’ impact on the local community.
The funds will be distributed across six organizations throughout ACH Seeds’ growing regions to support projects that enhance their community. This year’s recipients include:
- Richland Wilkin Emergency Food Pantry, Wahpeton, North Dakota: Providing nutritious foods to more than 900 food-insecure families in Richland and Wilkin counties through its three initiatives — a fully-functioning storefront, backpack program, and mobile food pantry — contributing to the overall health and well-being of community members.
- Unionville-Sebewaing Area FFA, Sebewaing, Michigan: Building an agricultural barn for students to gain hands-on experience in raising broiler chickens for meat production and understanding the farm-to-table process, with a portion of the 250 market chickens donated to community members in need.
- Renville County West FFA, Renville, Minnesota: Upgrading outdated 1950s welding equipment for the shop class to ensure students are well-prepared to help meet the growing local demand for welders in agriculture and beyond. Funding curriculum and field trips for students to explore diverse agricultural careers while encouraging students to pursue an agricultural-related profession.
- Martha & Mary’s Food Pantry, Jerome, Idaho: Supporting the volunteer food pantry’s relocation to a larger facility to better serve its growing clientele of over 650 community members and assisting with the operation of a distribution center which provides food to other rural pantries in the area.
- Fromberg FFA, Fromberg, Montana: Constructing a small barn to provide students with the opportunity to raise livestock such as poultry and rabbits for meat production, investing in new greenhouse equipment to grow plants and vegetables for the community, and upgrading shop tools to enhance hands-on learning opportunities.
- Weekend Backpack Food Program, Scottsbluff, Nebraska: Sustaining the backpack program through the 2024-2025 school year to provide weekend meals for over 500 students in need to help boost academic performance, ensure consistent nutrition, and foster a positive learning environment.
“In rural communities like ours, we lack the big donors that some urban areas have,” explains Jeff Schroeder, assistant coordinator for Martha & Mary’s Food Pantry. “Like most rural food pantries, we are 100% volunteer run. Getting funds is a challenge, but the need in rural communities is just as high. I’m grateful for companies like ACH Seeds helping us provide for those in our community who need extra support.”
Six more $10,000 awards will be available to eligible organizations in the communities where its customers live. Local growers and community members are encouraged to nominate deserving organizations.
