The Sun Prairie-based Compeer Financial has granted $825,000 to community and technical colleges across the cooperative's 144-county territory. Through the group's Agriculture and Rural Initiative, Compeer has committed $1.9 million in grants and scholarships over the next five years with the goal of further developing agriculture's workforce.
"Because Compeer clients often list workforce development among their highest concerns, our board agreed that vocational agriculture education should be a high priority for the fund," said Roger Newell, a Compeer Financial director. "Our partners in higher education provide opportunities for young adults in rural communities every day, and we hope this support will enhance those training programs to prepare them for a successful future in agriculture."
Many of the grants help to enhance the hands-on learning and real-world experiences offered to agriculture students at these institutions.
The following Wisconsin colleges were among the recipients:
** Chippewa Valley Technical College, Eau Claire: $75,000 for a tractor, training for diverse populations, support for the farm business and production management program, and other needs for programs in poultry, soil, tractor safety and bee keeping.
** Gateway Technical College, Kenosha: $75,000 for handicap-accessible garden area, horticulture supplies, vet tech x-ray machine and oxygen lines.
** Madison Area Technical College, Madison: $50,000 for equipment updates for ag service technician, ag equipment technology, diesel equipment technology and diesel and heavy equipment technician programs, and student recruitment.
** Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College, Shell Lake: $50,000 for vet tech canine surgical model, dystocia calf, bovine injection simulator and ruminant model.
These grants will directly impact the lives of more than 2,700 students studying agriculture and agriculture related fields, and help to enhance the curriculum offered by more than 125 faculty members and instructors.
Categories: Wisconsin, Business