Community grants focus on hunger and nutrition, ag education, and young and beginning producers
Omaha, Nebraska – (August 22, 2013) – Farm Credit Services of America (FCSAmerica), a customer-owned financial cooperative, today announced it has awarded 44 Working Here Fund grants totaling $74,200 to communities in Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wyoming.
The Working Here Fund, established in April 2013, provides up to $2,000 each for projects and organizations that make a positive, long-term impact in Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota or Wyoming in the areas of agriculture education, young and beginning producers, or hunger and nutrition programs.
“The quality of the grant project ideas was amazing and we’re excited to see these organizations make a positive impact,” said Doug Stark, president and CEO, FCSAmerica. “Funding organizations’ efforts in our local communities is a worthwhile investment.”
Grant recipients include the following organizations and project types:
- FFA chapters and 4-H groups
- Food-to-Fork programs
- Women in agriculture and agriculture education curriculums
- Community gardens and greenhouses
- Ag literacy programs for children
- Food bank and food pantries
- Fairground upgrades
- Backpack hunger relief programs
- Fire department and essential services needs
- Disaster relief efforts
The Working Here Fund is part of FCSAmerica’s community involvement program. In 2012 FCSAmerica and its employees contributed more than 4,000 volunteer hours and more than $1.4 million to support organizations in Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wyoming.
Working Here Fund grants are determined quarterly based on criteria outlined on the FCSAmerica website. Applications for the next grant period are being accepted through September 30. To complete an application, visit www.fcsamerica.com/workingherefund.
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About Farm Credit Services of America
Farm Credit Services of America is a customer-owned financial cooperative proud to finance the growth of rural America, including the special needs of young and beginning producers. With more than $19 billion in assets and more than $3 billion in members’ equity, FCSAmerica is one of the region’s leading providers of credit and insurance services to farmers, ranchers, agribusiness and rural residents in Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wyoming. Learn more at www.fcsamerica.com.
