AgStar Fund Awards Grants to High School Agriculture Programs
MANKATO, Minn. (Aug. 15, 2011) – The AgStar Fund for Rural America, the corporate giving program of AgStar Financial Services, is proud to announce that nearly $30,000 in grants was recently awarded through its AgStar Agriculture Classroom Equipment Grant Program. AgStar awarded grants to 13 high school agriculture departments in its 69 county service area. The program’s mission is to support ag education by funding educational experiences where students do course work relevant to agriculture and related fields.
“Agriculture departments in rural areas are often short of funding to provide the necessary equipment for students to learn the industry,” stated John Monson, Chair of AgStar’s Fund Board of Trustees. “AgStar created this grant program because we believe in ag education and are committed to the rural and agricultural communities where we operate.”
“Ag education in high school develops leadership skills and prepares students interested in pursuing careers in the agricultural field,” continued Monson. “The curriculum helps develop management, job, communication, literacy and other applied academic skill sets and prepares students for careers and lifelong learning. It’s an honor to be in a position to help subsidize equipment and technology they might not otherwise have had access to.
The 13 Minnesota and Wisconsin schools receiving grants this year include: Albany Area Schools, Buffalo High School FFA, Dassel Cokato High School Agriculture Department, Fulda High School Agriculture Department, Medford High School Ag Department, Minnesota Valley Education District/AgriScience Academy, Lake Crystal Wellcome Memorial, Prairie Farm High School Agriculture Department, Sleepy Eye Public School Ag Department, Springfield High School Agricultural Education Program, Southland Agriculture Department, Triton Public Schools and Watertown-Mayer High School.
Since its inception in 2001, the AgStar Fund has donated more than $3 million to organizations working to improve the future of rural America. The Fund’s mission is to “enhance the quality of life and future opportunities for rural residents and their communities.”
About AgStar:
AgStar Financial Services, ACA, headquartered in Mankato, Minn., employs more than 600 full-time team members. The company is part of the national Farm Credit System and has a public mission to serve 69 counties in Minnesota and northwest Wisconsin. AgStar’s industry specialization, client segments and market delivery systems result in diversification nationwide. The company has expertise in the corn, soybean, swine, dairy and bio-energy industries. AgStar has developed successful programs in loans, leases, crop insurance, tax services, accounting, consulting and rural home mortgages. As a value-added financial services cooperative, AgStar allocates patronage dividends to its more than 14,000 stockholders. Visit www.AgStar.com for more information.
Contact: Melanie Olson
952-997-1255
Melanie.Olson@AgStar.com
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