Source: PRESS RELEASE, 10/16/13

David W. Corum, CEO of AgCarolina Farm Credit, announced that the cooperative has joined with the Associations of Cape Fear and Carolina Farm Credit in supporting the A.S.P.I.R.E. (Act Supplemental Preparation In Rural Education) Program.    

A.S.P.I.R.E. is a cooperative initiative through the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at North Carolina State University and North Carolina Cooperative Extension that is designed to bridge deficits in rural high school students’ performance on the ACT College Entrance Examination in order to increase the number of students pursuing higher education in agriculture and life sciences.  

The Farm Credit Associations of North Carolina collectively pledged $75,000 over a five year period to the A.S.P.I.R.E. Program in 2013.  Corum says, “The A.S.P.I.R.E. Program aligns perfectly with our passion to preserve and promote our rural communities.  What better way to have a positive influence on rural America’s future than by supporting educational opportunities for its young people.”  
The program includes The Princeton Review ACT study manual, The Princeton Review 1,296 practice question manual, 4 ACT full-length practice exams with score analysis and breakdown, The Princeton Review selective college admissions booklet, and 30 hours of class time instruction.  The cost is $165 with a $100 refundable deposit that is returned at the completion of the course, based on attendance.  For more information on the A.S.P.I.R.E. Program or to apply online, visit:  http://harvest.cals.ncsu.edu/aspire.  

About Farm Credit    
Farm Credit is the state’s largest agricultural lender.  AgCarolina Farm Credit serves the Triangle and northeastern portion of the state,  Carolina Farm Credit serves the western half of the state, and Cape Fear Farm Credit serves the southeastern portion of the state.  

Farm Credit is a nationwide system of financial cooperatives owned by its member-borrowers.  Farm Credit has nearly 14,600 borrowers in North Carolina and $3 billion in outstanding loans in the state.  Farm Credit provides loans to finance farm land, buildings, operating expenses, equipment and livestock.  Farm Credit also provides rural home loans and crop insurance.  The system was established by Congress in 1916.  For more information, visit farmcredit.com.