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 The
Agriculture and Rural Initiative, Compeer Financial’s donor advised
fund, has granted $600,000 to community and technical colleges
across the cooperative’s 144-county territory.
“The future of agriculture and our client’s farms rely on a strong,
vibrant and robust agricultural workforce, and our partners in
higher education provide opportunities for young adults to explore
and gain hands-on experience in these careers,” said Stephanie Wise,
a Compeer Financial Director. “Our clients continue to list
workforce development among their highest concerns, and these grants
and scholarships are the first step to improving this challenge for
the industry.”
Many of the Compeer grants help to enhance the hands-on learning and
real-world experiences offered to agriculture students at these
institutions. Heartland Community College (HCC) will use the
donation for a new agriculture complex which began construction in
late June of this year.
Colleges receiving grant dollars were selected as partners based on
their agricultural education offerings, agriculture workforce
development and geographic impact.
The Agriculture and Rural Initiative was created by the Compeer
Financial Board of Directors in 2019 to make signature investments
in programs and projects that directly address the needs of farmers
and others who work in agriculture.
“This grant truly demonstrates the commitment Compeer Financial has
toward supporting opportunity for students studying agriculture,”
said Chris Downing, Executive Director of the Heartland Foundation.
“Compeer’s commitment to the Heartland Ag facility is a long-term
investment in the success of ag students and the industry.”
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About the Agriculture and Rural Initiative
The Agriculture and Rural Initiative was created by Compeer Financial’s
Board of Directors in 2019 to make signature investments in programs and
projects that are high priorities to member-owners. To date, $10 million has
been invested in the Initiative. To date, the Initiative has awarded $1.8
million to support communities during the pandemic and agriculture workforce
development.
The Agriculture and Rural Initiative is managed by the Compeer Financial Fund
for Rural America Board of Trustees, who oversee the organization’s corporate
giving efforts. More information about Compeer’s corporate giving programs can
be found at Compeer.com/giving-back.
About Compeer Financial
Compeer Financial is a member-owned Farm Credit cooperative serving and
supporting agriculture and rural communities. The $27.7 billion organization
provides loans, leases, risk management and other financial services throughout
144 counties in Illinois, Minnesota and Wisconsin. Based in the Upper Midwest,
Compeer Financial exists to champion the hopes and dreams of rural America,
while providing personalized service and expertise to clients and the
agriculture industry.
Compeer Financial is the third largest cooperative of the Farm Credit System, a
nationwide network of lending institutions supporting agriculture and rural
communities with reliable, consistent credit and financial services.
[Steve Fast
Assistant to the President, Public Information and Communication
Heartland Community College]
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