Compeer Financial’s Fund for Rural America, the Farm Credit cooperative’s giving program, has awarded 42 General Use Grants, totaling nearly $197,000. 17 of these grants have been awarded to those in Wisconsin. These fund initiatives and organizations whose work enriches agriculture and rural America, aligning with Compeer Financial’s mission.
These grants will directly impact the lives of 81,000 people, with 50% making a direct farmer education impact. These programs impact multi-generation operations, beginning and emerging farmers, women in agriculture and also various commodities. In addition, grants support youth education and career exploration in agriculture and manufacturing, as well as financial literacy, entrepreneurial and work readiness skills.
This is the 13th cycle of the grant, which has awarded more than $2.5 million and impacted the lives of over six million people since inception. The Fund will offer this grant again in November 2024 to provide funding in early 2025.
“These grants focus on community organizations making an impact in the areas of education, environment, technology and quality of life,” said Karen Schieler, corporate giving manager at Compeer Financial. “The General Use Grants significantly enhance the health and vibrancy of rural America, with these innovative ideas and efforts creating a lasting impact.”
The 17 organizations receiving support from the General Use Grant Program throughout Wisconsin include:
- Agnes’ Table and Community Center: general operating support for meals and also food pantry
- Fond du Lac County United Way: purchasing fresh produce from local farmers and agricultural education for childcare centers
- Fondy Food Center, Inc.: enhancing farm irrigation systems
- Good Neighbor Clinic of Sauk Prairie: diabetes medication
- Green County Development Corporation: agricultural and manufacturing business tour for students
- Junior Achievement of Wisconsin, Inc: financial literacy, work and career readiness and entrepreneurship education for students
- Lafayette County Health Department: providing vaccine and health education in multiple languages
- Mutual Community Mission Group: weekend meal bags for students
- Quality Dairy Goat Producers Cooperative of Wisconsin: 2024 cost of Goat Milk Production Study
- REAP Food Group, Inc.: rural producer engagement sessions
- Saukville Community Food Pantry: mobile pantry serving northern Ozaukee County
- Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin, Inc.: Farm to Foodbank initiative
- Shepherds College: classroom and greenhouse supplies for the horticulture education program
- The Community Table Inc.: general operating support to provide daily meals
- University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee County Urban Agriculture Program: repairing hoop housing and renewing educational programming at three growing sites
- Vernon Memorial Healthcare Foundation Inc.: Center for Special Children Program
- YMCA of the North – Camp St. Croix: farm and garden program
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