Cultivate Magazine: Summer 2023

CELEBRATING

CELEBRATING JUNE DAIRY MONTH — THANK YOU, DAIRY FARMERS!

A true partner is defined by those they support. That’s why at Compeer Financial we’re defined by our longstanding partnership with the dairy industry. We’re proud to work alongside hard-working dairy farmers, processors and others every day to support your hopes for the future as well as your needs today. And as the dairy industry and agriculture continue to evolve, so will we, together.

CULTIVATE

Volume 7, Issue 2

Summer 2023

EDITORIAL STAFF

Nora Nolden, Editor

Chastity Valvick, Editor

Amy Barnett, Assistant Editor

Karen Schieler, Contributing Writer

Terri Poburka, Designer

DIRECTORS

Akin Agar Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.

Ashley Ahl Merrillan, Wis.

Rodney Bosma Rushmore, Minn.

Ann Broome Austin, Texas

Allyn Buhrow Ashton, Ill.

Mark Cade Westby, Wis.

Dan Erickson Alden, Minn.

Tim Evert North Freedom, Wis.

Larry Fischer Sleepy Eye, Minn.

Dale Holmgren N. Mankato, Minn.

Dave Peters Manteno, Ill.

Greg Pollesch Oshkosh, Wis.

Dan Scheider Freeport, Ill.

Kimberly Wedig Darlington, Wis.

Stephanie Wise Joliet, Ill.

Cultivate is a publication of Compeer Financial®, ACA. Compeer Financial exists to champion the hopes and dreams of rural America. This publication is copyrighted in its entirety. Cultivate is published by Compeer Financial, 2600

Jenny Wren Trail, PO Box 810, Sun Prairie, WI 53590.

Please send address changes to Compeer Financial, Attn: Cultivate Magazine, 2600

Jenny Wren Trail, PO Box 810, Sun Prairie, WI 53590 or call (844) 426-6733.

Compeer Financial, ACA is an Equal Opportunity Employer, Lender and Provider. Equal Credit Opportunity Lender. Compeer Financial is a registered trademark of Compeer Financial, ACA. ©2023 All rights reserved.

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CONTENTS

5 Compeer Financial Fund for Rural America® 2022 Report

8 Collaborating to Save Lives Rescue organizations partner to share vital equipment

10 Growing in Green Space New development event offers insights into ag

Cover: A corn stalk emerges from the ground, a sign of the season of warmth and growth that’s upon us.

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12 The Next Generation Showcases Skills & Expertise Fund for Rural America supports 4-H

14 Innovation in Action Injection simulator helps students gain experience

18 Growing the Good Christine Leonard is Compeer’s 2023 GroundBreaker of the Year

21 Q&A with Jase Wagner

Getting to know Compeer’s new CEO

4 CEO Message

22 News & Announcements

Cultivate is brought to you by Compeer Financial. This publication’s name represents our cooperative’s commitment to growing long-term relationships with our member-owners and championing the hopes and dreams of rural America. Comments or suggestions for future issues can be sent to Compeer-CommunicationsTeam@compeer.com.

A New SEASON OF GROWTH

As we welcome the arrival of spring and summer, it’s a time of year that comes with an aura of newness, potential and progress. After a long and challenging winter season, it’s exciting to think about the growth ahead — in our fields, in our gardens and in our families.

It’s a time of new beginnings at Compeer Financial, too. I stepped into my role as president and CEO in January and am thrilled to lead an incredible team with a fierce dedication and commitment to serving our member-owners. As I talk with our clients, Board members and team, it’s clear that Compeer has great opportunities to continue serving and supporting agriculture and rural America.

In fact, the vitality of rural America is something our organization has committed to focusing on in the coming years. The agriculture industry depends on thriving rural communities, and rural communities need agriculture to flourish — it’s a symbiotic relationship.

One of the many ways Compeer invests in rural America is through our philanthropic efforts, and this issue of Cultivate strongly focuses on how we give back. You can read the Fund for Rural America® 2022 Annual Report starting on page 5. We’re excited to share the stories of our corporate giving program with you.

An intense passion for agriculture and rural America is at the heart of everything we do, and I’m committed to ensuring Compeer continues to grow as a sound organization that provides reliable and stable credit to our clients — helping you grow your operation, improve your livelihood and build stronger communities.

This remains especially true as our clients face changing economic conditions with interest rate fluctuations, labor challenges and high input costs. As your cooperative, it’s vital that we work proactively to ensure our clients have access to the capital and expertise our team provides, no matter the conditions. I encourage you to work with the team at Compeer to understand how these economic impacts affect your operation and what the best options might be for you as you work through unknowns and external pressures.

Alongside our clients, Compeer continues to demonstrate a history of solid performance through several cycles in agriculture. Ultimately, our goal is to help farmers and agribusiness owners achieve their dreams, and we take that responsibility very seriously. Whether you are planting a new crop, experimenting with an innovative approach or expanding your operation, we’re here to support you every step of the way.

As we enter this season of growth and new beginnings, I invite you to join us in celebrating the resilience and determination of those working in and supporting the agriculture industry. Together, we can build a bright future for rural communities and all of us.

Jase Wagner President and CEO

“ An intense passion for agriculture and rural America is at the heart of everything we do, and I’m committed to ensuring Compeer continues to grow as a sound organization for our clients.”

FUND FOR RURAL AMERICA ®

2022 IMPACT HIGHLIGHTS ▲

Leading Through Giving

2022 was a milestone year for Compeer Financial as we celebrated our five-year anniversary. When Compeer was formed in 2017, our Board made a strong commitment to giving back by allocating 1% of net earnings to philanthropy each year through our corporate giving program, the Fund for Rural America®

Over the course of the past five years, we gave back $22.4 million through the Fund for Rural America and our donor-advised funds. We’ve accomplished this through 2,675 grants, 698 scholarships and 506 annual commitments and one-time gifts

In 2022 alone, the Fund committed $4.8 million to support grants, scholarships, annual commitments and one-time gifts benefiting organizations across our 144-county territory. We maintain a strong connection with our communities, giving 95% of our dollars to support local and regional groups that are making an impact.

One of the key investments we made in 2022 was increasing the maximum grant amount from $3,000 to $4,000 for several of our grant programs. We also launched a grant dedicated to supporting collaboration efforts between emergency response departments and providing the funding for much-needed shared equipment. You can read more about this grant on pages 8-9.

The Fund is committed to serving all facets of agriculture and supporting those who are enhancing the future of the industry. One way we do this is by partnering with groups that educate about and build the exposure of agriculture with new communities. In 2022, we supported an innovative approach to youth involved in urban agriculture and food production (see pages 10-11).

And while we are always looking for ways to enhance the impact of our giving, our annual commitments remain core to what we do. These include yearly support for FFA, universities with agriculture programs, Agriculture in the Classroom and others. On pages 12-13, we explore the impact we’ve seen through our support of 4-H throughout our territory.

As we look forward to 2023, the Fund for Rural America is embracing Compeer’s focus on rural vitality. While the Fund has always supported local community projects and programs, we are making an expanded commitment to provide even more support. The Agriculture and Rural Initiative, our donor-advised fund, has committed $3 million over the next three years for matching grants to support rural communities. We will share more about this grant program in the coming months.

While I know the Fund for Rural America’s Board of Trustees is proud of these milestones, I hope each and every member-owner is as well. We see a bright future for agriculture and rural communities due in part to all of our combined efforts to give back.

Chair, Board of Trustees Compeer Financial

$4.8M Amount contributed to the Compeer Financial Fund for Rural America ® in 2022

588 Grants distributed 12 Grant programs offered annually

The Fund focuses its giving within Compeer Financial's territory to five areas important to our clients and rural communities:

AGRICULTURAL ADVOCACY & DEVELOPMENT

Supports programs for direct farmer impact, agriculture industry advocacy, agriculture leadership development and consumer awareness.

• 80 markets and 24 farmers impacted by Farmers Market Grants

• Supported the production of AgMags and online education for Agriculture in the Classroom

• $15,000 in support for Farmer Veteran Coalitions

• Partnered with state fairs in Illinois, Minnesota and Wisconsin

• Supported professional development for 325 ag teachers in Wisconsin

AGRICULTURE EDUCATION

Supports all levels of formal agriculture education through programs, equipment and facility support and scholarships.

152 Scholarships awarded

922,043 Youth directly impacted with $1.2M in gifts

• 29 scholarships offered at eight state universities with agriculture programs

• 65 agriculture classrooms added new equipment

• Supported farmdoc: providing analysis, tools and data to help Cornbelt farmers make better decisions; 1.2 million users in 2022

• Grants directly to 42 young, beginning or small farmers

COOPERATIVE INITIATIVES

Supports the cooperative model through client education support, local giving and team member engagement activities.

• $211,034 donated directly to local causes from Compeer offices

• Supported Compeer educational events for 3,673 clients

• 5,364 food kits packed in honor of Compeer's five-year anniversary

RURAL DEVELOPMENT & COMMUNITY ENRICHMENT

Supports efforts to increase vitality of rural communities, promote economic development and enrich programs for rural residents.

1.1M People facing food insecurity supported

116 Annual & One-Time Gifts given 95% of giving made a local, county or regional impact

1.8M Rural residents impacted

• Equipped 4,946 first responders with emergency response equipment

• 46 gifts impacted organizations combating food insecurity

• $432,990 in General Use Grants to 60 different organizations

• Rural Feasibility Study Grants supported 9 community projects

• Partnered on development of Rural Entrepreneurship Program with Minnesota and Wisconsin Extension

• 15 Emergency Response Equipment Collaboration Grants

YOUTH ENGAGEMENT

56% of organizations supported benefited from time/talent of Compeer team members

Supports established programs that promote youth leadership, civic engagement and wellness.

• More than $202,500 to FFA and 4-H State Associations

• Benefiting more than 75,650 youth and young adults

• Supporting leadership development and agriculture's future

Collaborating to SAVE LIVES

DARIEN, Wis. — Teamwork is critical when volunteer fire, rescue and ambulance departments need to respond to emergencies — especially in rural America.

Many communities have seen volunteerism dwindle over the last few decades. And with fewer volunteers, emergency responders don’t have the same capacity to raise the funds needed to purchase vital lifesaving equipment as in the past.

“I’ve been a firefighter with the Sharon Fire Department for 38 years,” explained Bruce Vander Veen, who also farms, raising registered Jerseys and growing 650 acres of corn and soybeans with his brother. “Through the years, it’s gotten harder and harder in rural communities to staff emergency response vehicles, especially ambulances. Many of us are looking to our neighboring communities to help pool resources.”

In 2019, Vander Veen spearheaded a group that brought together three Wisconsin fire departments from Darien, Walworth and Sharon. None of them were big enough to staff an ambulance full time on their own, so they joined together to create an intergovernmental agreement for a shared services medic program.

SPIRIT OF COLLABORATION

Darien, Walworth and Sharon each maintain individual firefighting teams for their communities, but through their intergovernmental agreement, they now have an ambulance that’s staffed around the clock. The rig floats between the three towns throughout the day, responding to calls — and when additional assistance is needed, local volunteers are called in for backup. This relieves the load on volunteers, giving them more time for their jobs, like farming.

“Farming works well with volunteer firefighting because, although we’re busy, we’re usually available around the clock,” Vander Veen said. “We also have the experience of working on our feet and solving problems as they arise.”

Compeer Financial’s Fund for Rural America® introduced a grant in 2022 to help local rescue departments fill in gaps when it comes to specialized equipment for responding to emergencies. Through the Emergency Response Equipment Collaboration Grant Program, local agencies can collaborate together to seek funding for specialized equipment — things like hydraulic extrication tools, chest compression systems, oxygen tank refill equipment and more. Many

times, these things are difficult for local departments to purchase separately. But working together and sharing the equipment with neighboring towns have even stronger benefits for rural communities.

LIFESAVING EQUIPMENT

Londa Lauber, Vander Veen’s financial officer at Compeer Financial, immediately thought of her client when she heard about the new grant. Vander Veen applied, and the departments received funding for a battery-operated extrication tool.

“I just thought, ‘Boy, this is perfect for us,’” Vander Veen said. “Between our communities, we have five state and U.S. highways, and unfortunately we see a lot of car accidents. Our ambulance, which is usually on the scene before our volunteers, didn’t have the set of tools needed for extrication and often had to wait for volunteers to set up cumbersome Jaws of Life equipment.”

Now, when every second is critical, the emergency response team saves precious time because they’re able to respond with greater speed and agility. In the first three months with the new equipment, rescuers have already used it twice.

Fifteen collaborative rescue groups received equipment grants in 2022 across Compeer’s territory in Illinois, Minnesota and Wisconsin.

“We know rural departments often share resources and important pieces of life-saving equipment,” said Karen Schieler, senior corporate giving specialist at Compeer. “The spirit of collaboration is strong for emergency departments in rural America, and we hope these grants can help impact even more lives. First responders give so much when people are in need, and these tools and resources will help in critical situations.”

The next application window for this grant program is Aug. 1-31, 2023. Learn more at compeer.com/giving-back

Opposite page: Volunteer firefighters Bruce Vander Veen and Bob Williams show the new extrication tool that’s shared between Darien, Walworth and Sharon fire departments.

Top left: Compeer’s new grant program provides funding for emergency response agencies that are collaborating together to purchase equipment. Top right: In the first three months of having the new battery-operated extrication tool, rescuers have already used it twice. Bottom: Fire departments in Darien, Walworth and Sharon are collaborating together to staff an around-the-clock ambulance for their communities.

Growing in GREEN SPACE

New development event offers insights into ag

CHICAGO — Turning green space — or any available space — into food production is an agricultural art.

“There is a lot of untapped potential in cities and urban gardening scenes,” said Amanda Anderson, urban agriculture program manager for the Gary Comer Youth Center in Chicago. “It doesn’t matter where you are from — everyone has access to land that is not conventionally thought of as space you can grow food.”

And that’s just what competitors had to figure out at the first ever Illinois Career Development Event (CDE) in Urban Agriculture and Food Production last spring. As part of the competition, the students had to create a plan for growing food in unique spaces.

Luke Allen, a program advisor for Facilitating Coordination in Agricultural Education — part of the Illinois State Board of Education — created the competition so students could showcase their talents and knowledge of plant-based food production.

“The goal is to inspire students to think about how they can use the resources in their community to grow food,” Allen said. “This contest shows how you can turn a hobby garden into a thriving business.”

CDEs are competitive events, typically done in conjunction with FFA, that push competitors to develop college and career readiness. CDEs can range in subject matter from public speaking to livestock evaluation and everything in between.

Allen said he saw a void in the state agriculture curriculum and FFA contest offerings — no events were focused on plantbased food production and team collaboration.

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT IN ACTION

The Gary Comer Youth Center hosted the 2022 event on its campus. Anderson said the competition brought the lessons of her classes full circle for the students who competed.

“Our students were able to showcase the skills they learned while working on our farm,” Anderson said. “They saw the skills they have can translate into a legitimate agriculture career, right in their own communities.”

The invitational event gathered 18 teams comprised of 65 students to compete. Prior to the event, students completed a written test. Then, they worked in teams on various practical skill sets, including presenting an urban agriculture business plan and a presentation on food handling.

Students were also challenged to look at six growing locations and create plans for food production in those spaces.

Anderson said the challenge of creating a business plan as a group and then pitching it to others had her students thinking outside of the box, learning the skills of collaboration and public speaking.

UNCONVENTIONAL INSPIRATION

Allen hopes the contest inspires students to look for the potential to grow food in different ways and address community food access and insecurity concerns. Anderson said the school, based on Chicago’s South Side, produces 17,000 pounds of food a year utilizing 1.75 acres and a rooftop garden.

“Most schools have acres of grass on their campuses that could be sites for food production,” Allen said. “This is more than just

ABOUT THE ILLINOIS URBAN AGRICULTURE & FOOD PRODUCTION CAREER DEVELOPMENT EVENT

• 18 teams, 65 students participated in spring 2022

• Test knowledge about growing food

• Skills displayed:

- written test

- plant identification

- environmental site selection practicum

- food product packaging activity

- evaluation of food products

- “urban agriculture business plan” group presentation

urban areas — it’s looking at what’s around you and understanding which plants would grow there.”

Allen collaborated with other agriculture education leaders across the nation on the contest, and he said he believes it’s the first of its kind in the nation. The Compeer Financial Fund for Rural America supported the event with a one-time gift in 2022 and is supporting it again in 2023.

“With some creativity and knowledge, the unconventional can become conventional,” Allen noted. “That’s what we are trying to highlight with our students.”

Opposite page top: Students compete in the first Urban Agriculture and Food Production Career Development Event, pitching a business plan focusing on growing, selling and finances. Bottom left: Students work on plant identification for the contest. Bottom right: Students review the different options for planting an urban farm at Gary Comer Youth Center.

Above left: Using skills they learned, students complete an evaluation of food products, determining which appearances and qualities are good for consumer sales. Above right: Students create a poster to inform employees on proper food packaging and handling procedures.

Photos courtesy of Facilitating Coordination in Agricultural Education and Gary Comer Youth Center.

The Next Generation Showcases SKILLS & EXPERTISE

4-H youth across the state of Minnesota are talking turkey. And llamas. And pretty much every farm animal in between. It’s all part of the Regional and State Project Bowl, a long-standing Minnesota 4-H Youth Development program where teams of three to six young people build skills working and thinking together while testing their knowledge of dairy, dogs, general livestock, horses, llamas/alpacas, poultry or rabbits.

Maddie Eaton, senior communications specialist at the University of Minnesota Extension Center for Youth Development, is an alum of the program and currently serves as a volunteer.

“Project Bowl was a really impactful experience for me,” Eaton said. “I learned so many practical things that transfer to real life, like persistence, commitment, learning to operate under pressure and working within a team.”

PROJECT BOWL LEGACY

Helping youth build skills that translate into just about anything they’d want to do as an adult is what 4-H is all about: Project Bowl in Minnesota is just one way the organization brings its objectives to life. From ag advocacy to livestock programs to leadership, conservation, food insecurity issues and more, 4-H participants are profoundly impacting people across Compeer Financial’s territory.

4-H’s tradition, successes and impact on youth all align perfectly with Compeer’s mission of enhancing agriculture and rural America. That’s why, over the years, Compeer has contributed more than $550,000 to 4-H programs in Illinois, Minnesota and Wisconsin through annual support, grants and donations to local clubs.

According to Minnesota 4-H State Director Dr. Jennifer Skuza, “Compeer’s longstanding partnership with Minnesota 4-H Youth Development has played an influential role in our ability to offer a wide breadth of agricultural programming to youth across the state.”

HEAD, HEART, HANDS, HEALTH

In 2022, nearly 67,500 4-H’ers across Compeer’s territory were impacted from the support of the Fund for Rural America. According to Karen Schieler, senior corporate giving specialist at Compeer, the opportunity to partner with 4-H has been amazing.

“4-H is a critical partner for reaching youth and helping them develop a variety of skills that make them the future leaders, influencers and agriculturalists in rural America,” Schieler said. “Oftentimes, 4-H is the first organization to influence young people and set them on a path to make a difference in our community.”

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE PARTNERSHIPS

From 2018 to 2022, Compeer Financial’s Fund for Rural America® has supported 4-H organizations with more than $556,500. Gifts have included:

• Annual Support for 4-H Foundations in Illinois, Minnesota and Wisconsin. Impacts include:

– Agriculture Exploration and Education

Leadership and Public Speaking

– Food Insecurity and Community Service – Environment, Conservation and Natural Resources

• MORE for Agriculture Grants to support:

– Re-energizing of the YELLO (Youth Exploring Leadership and Learning Opportunities) Program in Minnesota

– Development of Animal Science Curriculum: Animal Science Academy in Wisconsin

– Creation of Food Action Academy focused on the food system in Illinois

• Support for local 4-H clubs and members by supporting projects and fairs.

• Compeer team members have contributed their time and talents across Illinois, Minnesota and Wisconsin as leaders, mentors, volunteers and parents of 4-H members.

• In 2022, more than 67,500 4-H members were impacted through Fund for Rural America giving.

Left: 4-H members in Minnesota participate in Project Bowl, a development program to build skills, teamwork and a solid working knowledge of a wide variety of farm animals.

Right: Compeer Financial is proud to support 4-H programs, like Project Bowl, across our territory, impacting nearly 67,500 4-H’ers in 2022.

INNOVATION IN ACTION

JANESVILLE, Wis. — Picture yourself in a barn stall, syringe in hand, trying to medicate an ill 1,200-pound steer. Now imagine that you have zero experience with livestock or farming. It’s a situation more and more technical college students have experienced in recent years: working in close proximity to large, stressed and unpredictable animals with only textbook or secondhand experiences for reference.

Dusty Williams, an agriculture instructor at Blackhawk Technical College in Janesville, Wis., says intimidating and overwhelming don’t even scratch the surface of what that feels like.

“If you can, imagine somebody handing you a needle for the first time ever,” Williams said, “and asking you to give an injection into a steer. That’s a pretty scary thing.”

That’s the reason, thanks to a grant from Compeer Financial, Williams invested in a livestock injection simulator and a cowbirthing simulator for the school’s agriculture education program.

WORKFORCE SHIFT

More and more students are entering the program without hands-on farm or agriculture experience. “There are fewer farms and there are less people working on farms or starting to farm because it's so capital intensive,” Williams said.

It’s no secret the workforce in the agriculture industry is changing as well. In the past, agribusinesses, large and small, traditionally hired retired farmers and “farm kids.” Williams said that began shifting about 10 to 12 years ago, making it very tough for companies to find employees who have an actual farm background.

“So it's really important for us to give our students as much hands-on experience as we possibly can,” he explained.

As a former educator, Lisa Hurda, Blackhawk Technical College’s director of College Advancement and Foundation, agreed. “This grant from Compeer enabled us to purchase hands-on applications for our inexperienced students. So much instruction

Below: Students at Blackhawk Technical College demonstrate the ultrasound simulator for Compeer team members.

is textbook-oriented, so for these students to have experience with some of the equipment before they actually go out into the field, is tremendously innovative and impactful,” Hurda said. “The light bulbs go on a little bit quicker, even if they’ve never set foot on a farm.”

INNOVATIVE RESOURCES

In addition to the simulators used in the classroom, which allow students to “get their hands dirty without getting their hands dirty,” funding from Compeer also provided the program with a “Flex Farm,” a portable, multi-level structure for growing crops.

Williams explained: “It can be put in a closet. It can be put in a shop. It doesn’t need light because it’s self-sustaining.”

What’s more, the students will try to grow some herbs to supply to the college’s culinary program. “Herbs are very expensive, so campus-grown ingredients will bring some sustainability to the program,” Williams noted.

Below top: Students, faculty and staff at Blackhawk Technical College accept a grant of $25,000 from Compeer Financial’s Agriculture and Rural Initiative. Bottom left: Compeer’s Gary Punzel tests out a spraying simulator as instructor Dusty Williams looks on. Bottom right: Compeer’s Karen Schieler presents to students about the importance of developing agriculture’s workforce.

Another integral piece of the Compeer grant was funding for a professional recruitment and awareness video. “The video is pivotal,” Hurda said. “It helps students who may not have considered a career in agriculture to get interested in pursuing our ag education program. It’s a pretty cool production.”

Hurda added that the college is grateful to Compeer Financial. “Our educational model, and how we teach, is changing. We’re more innovative and experiential than ever before.”

AGRICULTURE AND RURAL INITIATIVE

In 2022, the Agriculture and Rural Initiative, Compeer Financial’s donor-advised fund, granted $600,000 to 11 community and technical colleges across Illinois, Minnesota and Wisconsin.

Compeer committed $1.9 million total in grants and scholarships at select colleges through 2025 with the goal of further developing agriculture’s workforce. Throughout the entire program, 30 college partners will receive grants and two $1,250 scholarships annually.

Photos courtesy of Blackhawk Technical College.

2023-2024 GRANT TIMELINE

For detailed information, deadlines and applications on each of these programs*, visit compeer.com/giving-back

August: Emergency Response Equipment and Regional Collaboration Grants

November: General Use Grant

January: High School Senior Scholarship Program (Due in March)

February: Farmers Market: Organization and Vendor Grants

March: County Fair Facility Upgrade Grant

April: Agriculture Education and Classroom Equipment Grant

May: General Use Grant

Ongoing:

Beginning with Compeer Financial Grant

Community Building Grant

Rural Feasibility Study Grant

Transition Planning Grant

*Each grant program is subject to change.

2023 FUND FOR RURAL AMERICA ® BOARD OF TRUSTEES

John Monson, Chair

Board of Director Members

Mark Cade

Dan Erickson

Dale Holmgren

Dave Peters

Kim Wedig

Stephanie Wise

Team Members

Jacob Chapman

Mary Daun

Jessica Fleming

Karen Johnson

Ben Larson

Jenny Layton

Compeer Financial Corporate Giving Team

Melanie Olson

Karen Schieler

Compeer Financial is a member-owned Farm Credit cooperative that provides financial services, resources and expertise to champion the hopes and dreams of agriculture and rural America.

Growing the GOOD

Above:

Christine Leonard is Compeer’s 2023 GroundBreaker of the Year

NORWOOD YOUNG AMERICA, Minn. — After scrubbing up from morning chores on her dairy farm just outside Norwood Young America, Minn., Christine Leonard heads into a small commercial kitchen on the property, which she’s dubbed “The Cheese Shack.” She starts assembling orders of beautifully curated cheese boards and charcuterie plates for her business, The Grater Good.

Christine grew up on this farm. So did her mom. And her grandma. And her great-grandma. All the way back six generations. Today, the farm is a traditional dairy operation where, alongside her parents Tim and Amy, Christine milks 45 registered Holsteins, raises replacement animals and works 200 acres of corn, alfalfa, soybeans and wheat.

“Growing up, Christine has always loved the cows,” said her mom, Amy. “She always wanted to be the one to demonstrate and tell people about cows. She has a real passion for dairy animals and boundless enthusiasm about agriculture, and she’s very knowledgeable.”

After earning her degree in food science and technology from the University of Wisconsin-Stout, Christine worked a few jobs off the farm — helping other dairy farmers and working at an organic vegetable CSA and at a farmstead creamery. Along the way, Christine discovered her heart was on the family farm, and she eventually convinced her parents to let her come home and farm full time with them. Part of her return included creating The Grater Good.

“I started by making cheese boards for family and friends, and, as charcuterie boards have become more popular, I decided to turn this passion into a business,” Christine explained. “I partner with other local producers for the cheeses, meats, honey and jams I use in my boards and cheese education classes.”

BUILDING A BUSINESS

Ultimately, Christine’s goal is to bring consumers closer to agriculture, creating a deeper understanding of where food comes from by telling the stories of the farmers and of the cheesemakers she works with.

But being a young and beginning farmer has its own unique challenges.

“I’m facing a lot of the same issues that other young farmers are facing,” Christine said. “It’s the high input costs of farming — from the price of land, equipment, input costs, fuel, fertilizer and labor. When you add it all up, these things are expensive and can be a barrier to entry. So when I came back to the farm, I knew I needed to find some kind of a niche, and that’s how The Grater Good came to be.”

Continued on page 20

Opposite page: Christine Leonoard, a dairy farmer in Minnesota, has been named Compeer Financial’s 2023 GroundBreaker of the Year.

In addition to milking and caring for the cows, Christine created the Grater Good, a business that connects consumers with local agriculture through charcuterie boards. Below: After a morning spent in the barns, Christine heads to her Cheese Shack, where she prepares orders and plans events to share the story of agriculture and cheese.

Continued from page 19

It's a niche that’s been a great value-add for Christine and something she wants to continue growing. In the future, she’d like to add a space to hold cheese classes and meetings on the farm and eventually add an on-farm creamery where she can make artisan cheeses on-site and bring her customers even closer to agriculture.

Christine has developed four pillars to guide her business plan: maintaining a focus on remaining local, providing education to consumers, giving strong attention to stewardship when it comes to caring for the land and the animals, and maintaining high standards of safety on the farm and in her cheese business.

GROUNDBREAKER OF THE YEAR

Christine’s drive, passion and commitment to the agriculture industry exemplify why she’s a great fit for Compeer Financial’s GroundBreaker of the Year Award. The award recognizes young, beginning and smalloperation farmers who are overcoming obstacles and making a difference in agriculture and their community.

“Christine’s dedication makes her unique,” said Karen Johnson, team leader of insurance operations at Compeer. “Her passion for the industry, her passion to educate people about agriculture and her passion to connect with people and get them excited about the dairy industry and cheese set Christine apart.”

Christine noted that being recognized as the GroundBreaker of the Year means a lot to her. “As a woman in agriculture and as a small farmer, it’s important for me to be a role model for others,” she said. “Having a small farm or being a woman in this industry shouldn’t hold us back.

“I’m hopeful to see a resurgence of small, regenerative farms like mine for the people out there who really just want to farm and work with animals,” Christine continued. “It’s pretty amazing to be considered a GroundBreaker and someone who’s making waves.”

And it’s clear the next generation at Leonard Family Farms is in good hands.

“When I watch Christine teach cheese classes, she lights up the room,” mom Amy said. “She's really in her element when she can talk about cows, cheese and farming — the things she loves.”

Do you know a young, beginning or small-operation farmer who’s passionate about what they do and has a positive impact on agriculture? Nominate them for Compeer’s GroundBreaker of the Year Award! Nominees must be actively involved in farming in Illinois, Minnesota or Wisconsin — and must be age 35 or younger, have 10 years or less of farming experience or generate less than $250,000 in annual gross sales.

Nominations for the 2024 GroundBreaker of the Year will be accepted June 1–Aug. 31, 2023. Learn more at compeer.com/GroundBreakerOfTheYear

Above: Christine, surrounded by her parents Amy and Tim, the sixth generation to work on the family’s dairy farm in rural Minnesota.

Q&A with JASE WAGNER

Getting to know Compeer’s new CEO

In January 2023, Jase Wagner became Compeer Financial’s president and CEO following the retirement of longtime leader Rod Hebrink. We sat down with Jase to help our readers get to know him better.

Cultivate: Jase, you grew up in rural America. Can you give us a short rundown of your background?

Jase: My childhood was rooted in agriculture and rural America. I grew up on a hobby farm in rural Montana, where I threw bales, hauled irrigation pipe and helped tend to the rodeo horses/animals my parents used for practice. The lessons I learned on the farm and living in the country were hugely instrumental in setting the foundation of who I am and my core values.

I left the farm and went to college at the University of Northern Colorado, where I earned my degree in accounting and finance and also played on the baseball

team. Then I went to work in a few financial roles in New York and San Francisco for about eight years before moving to the Upper Midwest to join Farm Credit.

Cultivate: Tell us about your career and experience at Compeer and in the Farm Credit System.

Jase: I joined Compeer Financial nearly 15 years ago and had a couple different positions, including a role in capital management, running a division that works with community bankers across the U.S. and serving as chief financial officer before moving into the CEO role this past January. My career in Farm Credit has been phenomenal as it ties my background and values with my work. I’m grateful I get to work in a job I truly love. Compeer Financial is a mission-driven organization, and there’s great pride in the work we do to build relationships with our clients, find solutions and help them achieve their dreams.

Cultivate: What are your top priorities as president and CEO of Compeer Financial?

Jase: Compeer is in a very healthy position and continuing to grow. My priority for the cooperative is to maintain the world-class level of service we provide our clients, backed by the partnership and expertise of our team members. I’m also committed to building on our cooperative’s success and sharing that success with our clients through our patronage program.

As we continue to move the organization forward, it’s important that we are innovative and try new approaches — just as our clients are on the farm and in their businesses. We are looking for breakthroughs in products, services and efficiency — knowing that not every innovation, experiment or trial will be a winner. Ultimately, we know we’ll need to continue evolving to best support our member-owners for the long term.

As I mentioned in my CEO letter in this issue of Cultivate (see page 4), I want our organization to focus on boosting vitality in rural America. And, as I’m new to the role, it’s also essential that I listen to our clients and keenly understand what they need from us as their financial partner. Most important of all, right now, I’m focused on building trust with you, our member-owners, and the 1,300 team members at Compeer.

I am excited to serve you!

Left: Wagner grew up on a hobby farm in rural Montana, where he started helping out at a young age.

Right: Wagner joined Compeer Financial in 2009 and was named president and CEO in January 2023.

HOLIDAY HOURS

Compeer Financial will be CLOSED for business in observance of these upcoming holidays:

Memorial Day: May 29

Independence Day: July 4

Labor Day: September 4

Thanksgiving: November 23 & 24*

Christmas: December 25

*For your convenience, our CONTACT CENTER will be open for calls Friday, November 24, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

To reach the Contact Center, please call (844) 426-6733.

ROUTING NUMBER CHANGE

IMPORTANT: Change to Compeer’s Routing Number

Compeer Financial’s routing number has changed — our new routing number is 096016972.

Our old routing number will no longer work after December 31, 2023. This means any checks or automatic transactions using the old routing number will not be processed after this date.

Here are a few things to consider:

• Make sure your checks have the new routing number.

The routing number is the first set of numbers found at the bottom of your checks. If the checks associated with your account at Compeer Financial contain a routing number other than 096016972, you need to order new checks.

We are happy to provide you with a new box of standard checks. Call (844) 426-6733 or stop by your local Compeer office and our team will be happy to assist you.

If you have outdated checks and prefer to order from a different source, please ensure you use the new routing number 096016972 when ordering.

If your account number (the second set of numbers found at the bottom of your checks) begins with 853, 612 or 682, you need to drop the first three digits from the account number when ordering checks.

Begin using the new checks when you receive them and be sure to destroy any old checks.

LIFEWORKS RESOURCE PROGRAM

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and we know life in agriculture and rural America isn’t always easy. The challenges can feel overwhelming and stressful. That’s why Compeer Financial is pleased to provide our clients and their families access to our LifeWorks Resource Program. The free program confidentially connects clients with tools and resources to help navigate challenges related to work, family, life and health — whether it’s a quick question or a larger issue.

Learn more at compeer.com/ resourceprogram.

Notice:

CONSTRUCTION ALERT!

Our corporate headquarters in Sun Prairie, Wis. is temporarily relocating to 4602 S. Biltmore Lane, Suites 105-111 in Madison while our building at 2600 Jenny Wren Trail is under construction. The office is expanding to better meet the needs of our clients and team members and is expected to be finished by mid-2024.

• Update your automated and bill pay transactions.

Please review any automated clearing house (ACH) transactions associated with your accounts at Compeer and ensure routing number 096016972 is used.

For example, if you pay bills for expenses like your cell phone, utilities, insurance, etc. automatically from your Compeer Financial account, you’ll need to update all of those transactions to use routing number 096016972 going forward. This is necessary to ensure the transactions continue to be processed.

Please note that Compeer Financial cannot make any changes to these third-party ACH transactions on your behalf.

Additionally, if the account number you’ve used to set up existing transactions begins with 853, 612 or 682, you need to drop the first three digits from your account number when setting up or updating ACHs.

In the future, be sure to use the new routing number when setting up transactions and ordering checks.

Learn more at compeer.com/RoutingNumber.

A true partner is defined by those they support. That’s why at Compeer Financial we’re defined by you — your hopes for the future as well as your needs today. We do things differently as a local member-owned cooperative. Our relationship is much more than transactional. It’s a partnership. One we get personally invested in. So whether you need an experienced lender, a trusted advisor or a friend you can count on, we’re ready. DEFINE YOUR

2600 Jenny Wren Trail PO Box 810 Sun Prairie, WI 53590