SUN PRAIRIE, Wis. — Compeer Financial’s Fund for Rural America, the giving program of the Farm Credit cooperative, has granted a total of $212,521 through 35 General Use Grants. These grants support initiatives and organizations that enhance agriculture and rural America, aligning with Compeer Financial’s mission. The grants will directly impact the lives of 216,800 people and will touch 3.2 million lives.
Since its establishment in 2018, the fund has awarded 402 General Use Grants to community organizations, totaling over $2.3 million. The fund will once again offer this grant in November 2023 to provide funding for 2024.
“The General Use Grant Program makes a difference in the communities where Compeer Financial clients and team members reside and work, reflecting our commitment to enriching agriculture and rural America,” said Karen Schieler, senior corporate giving specialist at Compeer Financial.
“Many of the supported groups through this grant initiative will directly benefit farmers, promote agriculture or aid local efforts to address food insecurity. This grant is integral to our organization’s dedication to the farmers and communities we serve.”
The General Use Grant Program is supporting 35 organizations within Compeer Financial’s territory, including Illinois recipients:
• Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital on behalf of Smart Farm: Acquiring a food preparation wash station.
• Artisan Grain Collaborative: Developing and implementing a consumer-focused grains education and marketing toolkit.
• DuPage County Farm Bureau: Launching the “Grow Your Own Food” program for fourth-grade students.
• Elizabeth Community Ambulance Service: Obtaining new mannequin for community CPR courses.
• Greater Chicago Food Depository: Securing a commercial-grade reach-in cooler.
• Illinois Stewardship Alliance: Providing support for farmer-led local food caucuses.
• Junior Achievement of Central Illinois: Delivering program services, materials and curriculum to schools in rural central Illinois.
• Main Stay Therapeutic Farm: Offering specialized equine and animal-assisted, as well as adaptive gardening programs.
• Rural Schools Collaborative: Implementing “ROOTed in Place” agricultural and environmental projects for eighth-graders at Platteville, Wisconsin, Middle School; K-12 students at Spring Grove, Minnnesota, Public Schools; and K-8 students at Waltham, Illinois, Elementary.
• Think Regeneration: Establishing a storage structure for food at Run-A-Way Buckers.