News
Compeer Financial community grants supporting food access and more
The manager of corporate giving with Compeer Financial says efforts in Illinois to help communities grow more food are receiving a boost.
Karen Schieler says the cooperative has announced funding for several projects aimed at increasing food access.
“You know, it may sound really simple growing food, but some of these experiences that we support really show that there’s so much more to it.” She says, “I think, and hope, that it just builds an appreciation.”
She tells Brownfield Compeer’s Fund for Rural America is partnering with community gardens, food banks, and more.
“Sometimes it’s freezers, and tables, and shelving, various different things, and a lot of community gardens, and hydroponics.” She says, “Again, that same piece of getting people to touch and feel agriculture.”
Schieler says applications for the next round of Compeer Community Grants opens in May. A link to learn more can be found HERE.
The latest round of General Use Grant funding totaled over $71,000 supporting 12 projects across the state, including:
| University of Illinois, 4-H Drone Program: STEM education and careers for Unit 8 |
| CORE of McLean: McLean Community Garden |
| DuPage County Farm Bureau, Grow Your Own Food: starter plants for student food production education |
| Eureka FFA Alumni, Eureka FFA Farm: building or purchasing a 4-row planter for farm plot |
| Facilitating Coordination in Agricultural Education: Illinois Junior MANRRS Immersion Event |
| Farmers Rising: mobile shade infrastructure for grazing livestock |
| Freeport Regional Healthcare Foundation: digital imaging enhancements for Mount Carroll |
| Girl Scouts of Central Illinois: rural youth mental health outreach |
| Junior Achievement of the Heartland: agriculture career engagement in rural Illinois |
| Seneca Area Food Bank: freezers and tables |
| The Greater Chicago Food Depository: hydroponics program |
| Utica Public Library District: hydroponic kits for “How Does Your Garden Grow” program |
AUDIO: Karen Schieler – Compeer Financial
Add Comment