GreenStone President and CEO Dave Armstrong represented the Farm Credit System at the ground breaking.
Pictured above: Laurie Schetter, WAEC board member and GreenStone financial services officer; Dave Armstrong, GreenStone President and CEO; and Nic Schoenberger, WAEC board vice president and Greendale Dairy
Farm Credit System Donates $550,000 to the Wisconsin Agricultural Education Center
The Wisconsin Agricultural Education Center (WAEC) has officially broke ground on a world-class, interactive discovery center that will focus on sustainable and responsible farming practices. The groundbreaking ceremony was held at the center's future site near Newton at the intersection of Hwy 43 and County C in Manitowoc County.
During the groundbreaking ceremony, Laurie Schetter, WAEC Board Member and senior financial services officer at GreenStone Farm Credit Services, enthusiastically announced Farm Credit's support of the center's capital campaign with a $550,000 gift.
As GreenStone and the Farm Credit System celebrate 100 years of support to rural communities and agriculture, this gift is a demonstration of Farm Credit's commitment to supporting organizations, programs and initiatives dedicated to advancing agriculture - today and tomorrow.
Led by GreenStone, these organizations came together to make this generous investment:
- AgriBank
- AgCountry Farm Credit Services
- AgStar Financial Services
- Badgerland Financial
- CoBank
- GreenStone Farm Credit Services
- United FCS
"The future of our industry depends on a well-informed public and an appreciation for the important role agriculture plays in all our lives," said Dave Armstrong, GreenStone's President and CEO. "The Farm Credit System is committed to the prosperity of rural communities and agriculture across our great country. Together, these five Farm Credit associations and two System funding banks are proud to make this investment in the Wisconsin Agricultural Education Center. It is an opportunity for us to carry out our commitment, and we could not be more proud to support this valuable educational asset."
"This generous, collaborative, gift marks 80 percent towards our $13 million fundraising goal," said Nic Schoenberger, WAEC board vice president and a Wisconsin dairy farmer. "We are grateful for this partnership with the Farm Credit System, a long-standing, trusted resource so many hard-working agricultural leaders have relied upon to successfully run their businesses," Schoenberger continued.
The groundbreaking marks a significant step towards making this project a reality. Construction is anticipated to go through 2017 and WAEC leadership are planning to celebrate a grand opening in spring of 2018. Once open, WAEC will provide visitors with the opportunity to connect with agriculture through a better understanding of where their food comes from and the tremendous impact it has on their lives and on those of everyone committed to healthy living and a healthy world. The Center expects a wide array of visitors from every generation - from school groups to families to travelers - across the country.
"It is quite an honor to break ground today with so many generous, visionary industry leaders who share our passion to tell agriculture's important story. To count the Farm Credit System among our top donors to our capital campaign makes today even more meaningful," said Melissa Bender, WAEC Executive Director. "To recognize their incredible support, the Exhibit Theatre within the Discovery Center will be named in the Farm Credit System's honor."
