2021 REPORT | Compeer Financial Fund for Rural America
Supporting the Future Agriculture Workforce:
AGRICULTURE AND RURAL INITIATIVE TRAINS THE NEXT GENERATION
In 2021, Compeer Financial’s Fund for Rural America Board of Trustees announced a $1.9 million commitment from the Agriculture and Rural Initiative to support vocational agriculture education at community and technical colleges. The Agriculture and Rural Initiative was created by the Compeer Financial Board of Directors in 2019 to make signature investments in programs and projects that are high priorities for Compeer member-owners, including workforce development, which they often list among their highest concerns. The five-year commitment includes working directly with 30 community and technical colleges to support $1.6 million in grants and $375,000 in scholarships. 2021 marked the first year of gifts. Thirteen colleges were awarded $750,000 in grants and 60 students received $1,250 scholarships. In total, 2,394 students and 84 faculty members were directly impacted by these gifts. Grants supported equipment and technology needs, student recruitment and outreach, student retention and professional development, and faculty training related to new equipment and technology.
14 CULTIVATE • Summer 2022
Colleges receiving grants were: Chippewa Valley Technical College, Eau Claire, Wis. $75,000 grant for a tractor, training for diverse populations, support for farm business and production management program, and other needs for programs in poultry, soil, tractor safety and beekeeping. Gateway Technical College, Kenosha, Wis. $75,000 grant to create an accessible garden area, horticulture supplies, and an X-ray machine and oxygen lines for veterinary technology. Highland Community College, Freeport, Ill. $50,000 for the agronomy program’s first tractor to teach precision agriculture technology on 15 acres of research plots, and general machine maintenance. Illinois Central Community College, East Peoria, Ill. $50,000 grant for the purchase of a UTV with sprayer and GPS technology for precision agriculture training, and to support the Agriculture, Diesel and Horticulture Showcase event for two years.
