A total of 13 groups have been selected for grants where Compeer Financial serves as lead investor for a program that fills a known void for clients served by the cooperative.

“This is an opportunity for Compeer to make a big difference where there is a significant gap or need in our territory,” said John Monson, chair of the Compeer Financial Fund for Rural America Board of Trustees. “These programs spark a new project and inspire ideas and skills to shape current and future agriculturalists.”

Applicants were referred to the program from a Compeer Financial team member and proposals were scored in seven categories:

• Rural or Agricultural – serves Compeer Financial clients and their communities
• Geographic Reach – broad, regional impact
• Replication – could this project be replicated in other regions, with assistance from Compeer, making a greater impact?
• Innovation – is the project new (not administration or straight line funding)?
• Fills a Known Void – addresses a significant void in agricultural and rural markets
• Ability to Collaborate – ability to leverage other funding partners
• Supports Compeer Financial's Mission – strong correlation to enriching agriculture and rural America

Illinois

Chicago Botanical Gardens: Farm on Ogden: $30,000 will be used build out a demonstration kitchen space and purchase a tilt kettle to provide cooking classes and locally grown fresh food and vegetables to urban residents.

Colfax Restoration Project: Downtown Greenspace: $2,700 will provide landscaping, painted murals on buildings and other expenses related to displaying historical items and seating areas.

Lexington FFA: Agriculture Program Revitalization: $7,500 for carpentry, metalwork, horticulture and aquaculture supplies for the Agriculture Department

Monmouth Area Chamber of Commerce: Farmers Market Expansion: $4,265 for advertising expenses and indoor facility rental for expanding Farmer's Market and Winter Market

Warren-Henderson Farm Bureau: Expanding youth agricultural education: $5,500 for resources for Ag in the Classroom lessons and events

Minnesota

Main Street Project: Farm Renovations: $50,000 to build a poultry production training unit for next generation of aspiring Latinx agripreneurs

Wisconsin

Lafayette County UW- Extension: Farming After Dark: $3,000 for promoting local agricultural products with consumers at an annual event.

Friends of the St Croix County Fairgrounds: Building Construction: $10,000 for construction of a livestock barn and show arena

Community Clothes Closet: Clothing Project: $1,000 to purchase new socks, underwear, outerwear, shoes and boots

Safe Families For Children: Operation Safe Families for Homeless: $2,500 for screening and training for new host families

Sauk County Conservation, Planning and Zoning Department: Soil Health Promotion: $2,500 for speaker costs for Using Soil Health Principles to Build Resilient Soil and Improve Crop Productivity workshop.

School District of Cambridge: Severson Learning Center, Koshkonong Trails: $21,000 for construction of shelters for livestock and fencing for pasture

Wisconsin Badger Camp: Program Improvements: $10,000 to complete the purchase of a new tractor to transport campers with disabilities around camp help improve access to programs and facilities.

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 1 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 Illinois, Minnesota and Wisconsin and members of Compeer Financial’s 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.