Community Foundation announces new grant program for agricultural education

QUINCY — Nonprofit educational institutions and organizations in west central Illinois and northeast Missouri are invited to apply for project funding to advance education and innovation in the field of production agriculture.

Grants of up to $15,000 will be awarded through a new Community Foundation program, “AgForward,” made possible by the Bob W. Richter Endowment for Agricultural Education and the Compeer Financial Rural Collaboration Project. Grants will promote and benefit education relating to production agriculture at any educational level – youths through adults – throughout the Community Foundation’s service area.

“Agriculture is the heart of our region, and we are proud to invest in the future of farming through the AgForward program,” Catherine Bocke Meckes, Community Foundation CEO, said in a press release. “We are incredibly grateful to the late Mr. Richter’s foresight in planning a gift to create an endowment that will sustain these grants for generations to come, ensuring that agriculture in our communities continues to grow.”

Grants will be supported through funding from Compeer Financial’s Rural Collaboration Program, an initiative designed to bolster rural vitality across the Midwest. The Community Foundation is one of 13 community foundations that received funding to support active, strong rural communities capable of supporting thriving economies.

“When our communities are strong, our future is bright. This program will fuel innovation that will not only grow local agriculture, but local leaders. We thank Compeer Financial for their investment in the future of our region,” Meckes said.

Through the AgForward grant program, the Community Foundation encourages grant applications that will:

• Advance the field of production agriculture in the Community Foundation’s 12-county service area
• Encourage or inspire agricultural careers and/or develop a skilled agricultural workforce
• Develop and train individuals in technologies and techniques that will enable agriculture to be more productive, efficient, and safe

Eligible applicants are nonprofit educational institutions, primary through post-secondary, and 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations in Adams, Brown, Hancock or Pike counties in Illinois and Clark, Lewis, Knox, Marion, Monroe, Ralls, Shelby or Pike counties in Missouri.

Applications will be accepted through May 15. Grants will be awarded by June 30.

Grantseekers are encouraged to review the Request for Proposal (RFP) prior to applying. It is available at www.mycommunityfoundation.org/grants.

For more information, contact Kent Embree at kembree@mycommunityfoundation.org or call 217-222-1237.