Source: PRESS RELEASE, 12/9/21

 AgCarolina Farm Credit announces $32,000 in grants have been extended to fifteen organizations through its corporate-giving program. The grants will aid recipients in carrying out programs specifically benefiting farmers and rural residents in eastern North Carolina.

Grants up to $5,000 per organization were awarded, at a reception held at Rose Hill Plantation in Nashville, NC, in one of the four focus areas of Education, Environment, Technology, or Quality of Rural Life to the following organizations:
= Food Bank of the Albemarle: Purchase twelve head carousel bagger with picking table. Will allow them to package fresh produce and bulk dry goods into family-size packaging to distribute to end users.
= Gates County Hunter Safety Team: Supplies and materials necessary for practice and competition during the 2022 Hunter Education district and state competitions.
= Green Level High School: Provide educational opportunities for students through hydroponics and aquaponics programs to increase plant sales and drive student engagement.
= Jamesville Elementary: Purchase STEAM supplies for 5th grade students to provide more hands-on learning experiences.
= JoCo Grows Agriculture: Hire professional videography company to produce educational outreach videos promoting local farmers and the impact of agriculture in Johnston County.
= Johnston County 4-H: Provide scholarships for youth to attend NC 4-H Camp. = 
Onslow County Cooperative Extension Service: Scouting school for farmers to help them make best decisions spraying costly insecticides. Increase youth agriculture knowledge by offering hands-on projects.
= Perquimans County Schools Foundation, Inc.: Fund learning/reading circles to educate students about agriculture
= Rocking Horse Therapeutic Riding Program, Inc.: Provide up to 80 scholarships for individual lessons for riders participating in the therapeutic program.
= Silver Lake Volunteer Fire Department: Purchase 5 StatPack bags and Zoll AED to help department be fully equipped with medical supplies to run medical emergencies. 
= Southern Nash High School FFA: Environmental education outdoor learning lab. Clearing overgrown areas on campus, construct foot bridge, and construct and install floating dock.
= Town of Nashville Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Resources Department: Support startup costs associated with the Nashville Farmers Market.
= Washington County 4-H: Purchase materials for agricultural based curriculum for school enrichment programs. Specifically soil solutions, vermicomposting, and Acres of Adventure for youth in the area.
= Washington County Early College High School: Startup supplies for a working greenhouse on campus. 
= Wilson County Cooperative Extension Service: Purchase John Deere tractor to safely operate and increase the number of quality on-farm tests in Wilson and Johnston Counties.

Association CEO Dave Corum states, “The AgCarolina corporate giving fund has awarded over $505,000 in grant funds to benefit the rural and agricultural communities of our eastern North Carolina service area since 2005. AgCarolina is committed to partnering with organizations to enhance the quality of life and opportunities for rural residents of eastern North Carolina.”

The application period for 2022 grants opens as of January 1, 2022. For more information, please visit https://agcarolina.com/News/Community/Grant-Program.aspx.

AgCarolina Farm Credit is a farmer owned financial cooperative with headquarters in Raleigh and provides credit to farmers in central and eastern North Carolina. AgCarolina Farm Credit has over $1.5 billion in loans and commitments outstanding to nearly 3,000 North Carolina farmers. Loans are made to finance land, homes, farm buildings, operating expenses, livestock and equipment, as well as other purposes. Find a branch near you, visit www.agcarolina.com or call 1.800.951.3276.