The information below has been supplied by dairy marketers and other industry organizations. It has not been edited, verified or endorsed by Hoard’s Dairyman.

The Compeer Financial Fund for Rural America, the corporate giving program of Compeer Financial, has awarded 49 grants across Illinois, Minnesota and Wisconsin for its General Use Grant Program. The grants total $250,500 in funding in 2018. The purpose of the General Use Grant Program is to fund initiatives and organizations whose work aligns with Compeer Financial’s mission of "Enriching agriculture and rural America.”

Recipients in Wisconsin receiving support from the General Use Grant Program include:

• Iowa County Land Conservation Department in Dodgeville, which plans to purchase a rainfall simulator
• Junior Achievement of Wisconsin, Inc. in Madison, to deliver programs in the Fond du Lac, Janesville and Sun Prairie area during the 2018-2019 school year
• Trempealeau County Agriculture Society in Galesville, to upgrade the Cooperative Building on the fairgrounds
• The BRICK Ministries, Inc. in Ashland, to offset costs related to its food shelf
• Rice Lake Area Free Clinic in Rice Lake, to offset general operating costs
• United Way of Dunn County in Menominee, to offset general operating costs related to the C-3 center
• Community Connections to Prosperity in Rice Lake, to provide financial support for Action Teams
• Healthnet of Rock County, Inc. in Janesville, to cover expenses related to dental and health care for county residents
• Interfaith Caregivers of Polk County in Milltown, to offset general operating costs
• Community Referral Agency, to offset general operating costs
• Boys and Girls Clubs of Barron County, Inc. in Rice Lake, to provide funding for field trips and program supplies that emphasize agriculture and STEM
• New Day Advocacy Center in Ashland, which plans to upgrade its security system
• The Gathering Source in Reeseville, help fund current programming and construction of a multi-purpose facility
• Wisconsin Rural Women’s Initiative in Elkhorn, for costs associated with program development and community outreach
• The Salvation Army in New Richmond, to offset general operating costs
• The Family House on Heart Island in Rice Lake, to offset general operating costs
• Barron County Youth Dairy Fund in Rice Lake, to help fund programs
  

“Compeer Financial Fund for Rural America's General Use Grant Program underscores our commitment to champion the hopes and dreams of rural America,” said John Monson, chair of Compeer Financial’s Fund for Rural America. “We proudly support programs that align with our mission and support our communities in the areas of education, environmental impact, technological advancement, and enhancement of the quality of life for farmers and rural communities.”

About the Fund for Rural America
The Compeer Financial Fund for Rural America is the corporate giving program of Compeer Financial, structured to support Compeer Financial’s mission to enrich agriculture and rural America. Compeer Financial’s Board of Directors has dedicated one percent of annual net earnings to support the Fund’s focus areas of education, youth engagement, rural development, community enrichment, agricultural advocacy and development, client development and team member giving. The fund is managed by a Board of Trustees, made up of team members from Minnesota, Wisconsin and Illinois and members of the Compeer Financial Board of Directors. More information about opportunities available through the fund 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 $19.5 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. For more information about Compeer Financial, visit Compeer.com. #ChampionRural