AgStar Fund for Rural America Region Nine Development Commission Grant Opportunity Forum November 21, 2013

Topics AgStar Financial Services, ACA Background and Overview Local Service Area AgStar Fund for Rural America Mission and Scope Giving Programs AgStar Fund for Rural America Grant Program

AgStar Financial Services, ACA Part of the nation-wide Farm Credit System; a Government Sponsored Entity (GSE) that serves agriculture and rural America In business for over 90 years, providing a broad range of financial services and business tools for agricultural and rural clients. A cooperative owned by our client-stockholders. Serve over 23,000 clients and manage almost $8BB in loan and lease assets. Service area includes 69 counties in MN and northwest WI

Local Service Area 69 counties 10 offices (8 in MN; 2 in WI) Over 600 dedicated team members

3 State Territory Map

AgStar Fund for Rural America Designated as a Corporate Giving Program Established in 2001 Managed by a Board of Trustees To date, we have given over $4M back to the communities we serve.

AgStar Fund for Rural America Mission: Enhancing life in agriculture and Rural America. Support programs that fit strategically with the intent of our clients and the communities in which they live. Focus Areas: Education, Environment, Technology, and Quality of Life

Grant Programs Fund for Rural America Grant Program (Oct 1 – Nov 30) Rural Feasibility Study Grant Program (year round) County Fair Facility Upgrade Grant Program (March 1-31) Agriculture Classroom Equipment Grant Program (April 1-30) Emergency Response Equipment Grant Program (August 1-31)

Scholarship Programs High School Senior Scholarship Program (Jan 1 – Apr 1) AgStar Scholars Scholarship Program (thru Fall and Winter) Groundbreakers Farm Business Management Tuition Assistance (year round) Minority Lending Training and Technology Voucher Program (year round) (restricted to AgStar clients)

Self-Directed Areas of Giving Disaster Relief efforts Young, Beginning, Small Farmer educational programs Women, Minority, and Immigrant Farmer educational programs Rural Economic Development initiatives Event/Program Sponsorship

AgStar Fund for Rural America Grant Program Currently accepting applications on-line through November 30. ( Grants are available up to $10,000 per organization for: Project or program support Technical Assistance General Operating Support Technology or Equipment

Considerations Fit with AgStar mission Number of rural residents impacted / geographic distribution Project outcomes Prevalence of Fund support PR value/cooperation Impact on AgStar brand

Considerations Is there a clear vision? What needs are addressed? Are there any other organizations doing this same work? Can the project be partially funded? If not funded by AgStar, will the project be scrapped?

Please note: Grants may be partially funded. Previous funding does not guarantee continuing support to any organization. Some organizations meeting the AgStar Fund criteria may not receive support in a given year. The AgStar Fund will not provide critiques of applications submitted. Applications will be reviewed and grants awarded in March of Applicants will be notified of all decisions as soon as possible. In most cases, grant funds will need to be used by December 31, 2014.

Questions? Thank You! Melanie Olson, AgStar Fund Specialist Galaxie Avenue, Suite 205 Apple Valley, MN Ph: Website: AgStar.com