Source:  PRESS RELEASE, 12/5/14

AgCarolina Farm Credit awarded $31,000 in grants to thirteen organizations through their corporate-giving program, the Fund for Rural North Carolina.  The grants will help the recipients carry out programs that specifically benefit farmers and rural residents in eastern North Carolina where the Association conducts business.

Grants up to $3,500 per organization were awarded in one of the four focus areas of Education, Environment, Technology, or Quality of Rural Life to the following organizations:
* Albemarle Area 4-H Livestock - $3,500 to update weigh scales, building ventilation, and add new hog pens to provide adequate equipment for exhibitors and spectators at Albemarle 4-H livestock show.  
* Corinth Holders High FFA - $2,500 to finish animal science barn on-campus to aid students in hands-on learning.  
* Food Bank of the Albemarle - $2,500 to purchase a refrigerated trailer for transporting deer harvested within “Hunters for the Hungry” program.   
* Franklin County 4-H - $2,000 to support the 2015 District Activity Day in May.   Event welcomes 700 youth and volunteers from eastern NC.
* Greene County Cooperative Extension - $2,500 for livestock project in which they are partnering with Simply Natural Jersey Farm.  Funds to purchase equipment for children to have the necessary items to work with the livestock.  
* Johnston County 4-H - $2,000 to provide funds for 12 campers to attend summer camps associated with NC 4-H Camp.    
* NC Agromedicine Institute - $2,500 to purchase power take-off (PTO) demonstration props to promote safety for training farmers, farm workers, and their family members.
*  Pitt County FFA Alumni - $2,500 to assist in sending 25 selected FFA students in Pitt County to attend NC FFA Leadership School and National FFA Convention.
* Ray Family Farms 4-H Club - $2,500 to assist in beginning a program for local 4-H members to set long term goals and serve their ag community through a commitment to “Steer Towards a Career.” 
* Riverside FFA - $2,000 to fund a chapter FFA classroom leadership program.
* Rocking Horse Ranch Therapeutic Riding Program, Inc. - $2,000 to support equine riding lessons for financially needy  individuals with physical, cognitive, and psychological disabilities.  
* Tar River Beekeepers - $3,000 to assist in completing a beehive project and additional equipment to maintain facility, along with educational materials for upcoming bee school.
* Wake Soil and Water Conservation District - $1,500 for workshop to aid landowners and provide information for sound, sustainable, and manageable opportunities to ensure success of farms.  

Association CEO, Dave Corum states, “AgCarolina Farm Credit is committed to enhancing the quality of life and future opportunities for Eastern North Carolina rural residents and their communities.  Through this Fund, we can impact a broad spectrum of organizations in our service area that support rural North Carolina.”   

AgCarolina Farm Credit is a farmer owned financial cooperative with headquarters in Raleigh.  They are the leading provider of credit to farmers in central and eastern North Carolina.  AgCarolina Farm Credit has over $1.4 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.  Credit life insurance, crop insurance, appraisal services, and leasing are also available through AgCarolina Farm Credit.