This grant program is designed to help fund agricultural education and classroom equipment in order that students have access to modern resources to broaden their perspective of the rapidly changing agricultural industry.

“The agriculture industry offers career choices that include not only the family farm, but well beyond,” said John Monson, Chair of the Fund’s Board of Trustees. “Hands-on learning and new technological opportunities are crucial in showing students the limitless opportunities within the agriculture industry. Schools are in the perfect position to broaden students understanding about the limitless opportunities they have within the agricultural industry.”

High school agriculture departments located within Compeer Financial’s 144-county territory were eligible to apply for an Agriculture Education & Classroom Equipment Grant.

The Wisconsin organizations receiving grants this year include:

Barron High School Agriculture Education – to upgrade classroom technology and small animal equipment for use in the newly built animal learning laboratory.

Chilton High School – to upgrade the flooring found in the school’s animal room and greenhouse work room, which will enhance safety and functionality.

Columbus School District – to purchase and replace animal and veterinary science tools for the newly reinstated agricultural program.

Cuba City School District – to create a functional livestock laboratory area for hands-on learning opportunities.

Ellsworth High School Agriculture Education – to purchase Reality-Works models that will provide visuals for students in animal science classes.

Fall Creek Agriculture Department – to purchase laboratory equipment that will align with scientific standards and enhance the scientific rigor within the agricultural education classes.

Fennimore Community Schools – to purchase a plasma cutter for classroom use.

Glenwood City Agriculture Education Department – to complete a landscaping tool set, which will enhance the Horticulture and Landscaping classes.

Hartford Union High School Agriculture Department – to replace and provide soil testing and profile kits, which will be used to teach students the importance of soil conservation.

Kiel High School – to purchase beekeeping supplies for the agricultural education department.

Mauston Agriculture Department – to update greenhouse flooring, which will let moisture through, but keep out plants, bugs and diseases, enhancing the functionality of the structure.

New Richmond Agriscience Department – to purchase new calf hutches, which will improve feed management for the animals on the school farm, as well as to purchase beekeeping supplies to start bee hives in the school garden.

Norwalk-Ontario-Wilton School District – to purchase a new electric stove to be used in the food science laboratory.

Osceola Agriculture Department – to purchase digital microscopes for classroom use.

Randolph Cambria-Friesland FFA – to purchase garden equipment and bee hives, which will allow the FFA to expand the food bank program and increase the amount of produce that they can donate to the local foodbank.

River Falls High School – to purchase a Briggs & Stratton engine kit, which will provide students the opportunity to learn key components of engine construction.

Reedsburg Area School District Agriculture Education – to purchase new classroom tables and chairs that can withstand student science experiments.

Slinger High School – to purchase hydroponic tower gardens for use in the agriculture classroom, which will meet the needs of students wanting to explore this area of agriculture.

Turtle Lake FFA – to purchase incubators, brooders and ear tagging equipment for student hands-on learning opportunities within the area of animal science.

Wisconsin Heights Agricultural Department – to purchase soil and water testing kits for hands-on learning opportunities and student led experiments.

Waupun Area Agriculture Education Department – to purchase an artificial insemination simulator, which will enhance the animal science based program currently offered.

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.