Support to rural communities and agriculture is part of our mission.

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1 Support to rural communities and agriculture is part of our mission.

2 IN 2016, AGCOUNTRY SUPPORTED AGRICULTURE AND THE RURAL COMMUNITIES WHERE WE LIVE AND WORK IN A VARIETY OF WAYS. As a Farm Credit Services association, part of our mission is to support rural communities and agriculture. AgCountry FCS sponsors many worthy programs in our 43 county service area and the rest of North Dakota and Minnesota. We donate to various causes, groups and initiatives through our corporate and branch offices. The Next Generation of Ag Leaders The future of American agriculture depends on the success of the next generation of farmers, ranchers and ag leaders. Because of their importance, we support organizations that focus on youth education and leadership. These groups and initiatives include: 4-H, FFA, Ag in the Classroom, Project Pizza, Student NAMA and other local leadership programs. AgCountry team member Dani Miller teaches an elementary class about sugar beets. College Scholarships AgCountry provides 24 scholarships each year to graduating high-school seniors who are from farming families or who are pursuing a career in agriculture. We feel it s important to support both those coming from the farm and those returning to the farm.

3 NDSU Farm Credit Fellows AgCountry created and facilitates the Farm Credit Fellows Program at North Dakota State University. The program is designed to help students gain a better understanding of the agricultural credit system and allow them to study special topics in the area of agricultural finance. The program is conducted by the NDSU Department of Agribusiness and Applied Economics and AgCountry Farm Credit Services in Fargo, ND. Partnering Farm Credit associations include Farm Credit Services of North Dakota in Minot, ND, Farm Credit Services of Mandan in Mandan, ND and United FCS in Willmar, MN. The Farm Credit Fellows class. Getting Started Young & beginning farmers face a number of unique challenges, so AgCountry provides them support in a number of ways. In addition to our special programs, scholarships are available to young and beginning farmers for appropriate farm/business management classes and other educational opportunities. AgCountry Loan Officer Scott Dethlefsen visits with a young beginning farmer.

4 Supporting Commodities and Agriculture Groups Being involved in agriculture, it s important that we support our peers. AgCountry is proud to support commodity groups in our association territory along with groups such as the Farm Bureau, Farmers Union, Farm Rescue, AgriWomen and many Extension and Farm Safety programs. AgCountry team member Ryan Palm teaches a Farm Safety class in Crookston. With so much information (and misinformation) readily available to consumers, it s more important than ever that agriculture has a voice. AgCountry supports numerous Ag Advocacy groups such as Common Ground, AgriGrowth Council and the Speak for Yourself Program. Common Ground hosted the third annual Banquet in a Field event. AgCountry proudly supports Farm Rescue, a nonprofit organization that provides planting, harvesting and haying assistance free of charge to family farmers who have suffered a major injury, illness or natural disaster. Their mission is to help family farmers bridge crises so they have an opportunity to continue viable operations. Farm Rescue gives families a chance to continue their livelihood by providing the necessary equipment and manpower to plant, harvest or hay their crop free of charge.

5 Hunger Related Causes As an ag cooperative, it makes sense for us to focus a portion of our giving on hunger-related causes. Through our network of local offices, AgCountry makes annual donations to local hunger-related organizations and food shelves in our communities. Morris office participating in the Feed My Starving Children event. They packaged meals to feed 71 children for an entire year. Hunger donations in 2016 were distributed to 54 organizations throughout our 43 county territory including: 46 county/community food pantries 2 community action programs 3 backpack programs A homeless shelter The Salvation Army and CHS Harvest for Hunger program Fargo team members volunteer at the Great Plains Food Bank.

6 Community Giving Community involvement is an important way for us to further our mission of supporting the communities where we live and work. AgCountry donates to a variety of local causes including Relay for Life and Heart Walks. We also provide donations to support the rural communities where we live and work. AgCountry team members serve up a hot breakfast during the Breakfast On The Farm event. Many AgCountry offices support their local United Way chapters through both volunteerism and financial support. Employees are given the option of lending their support via automatic payroll deduction which qualifies for a company match. Volunteer Efforts Through AgCountry s Give Back volunteer program, employees are allowed a set number of paid hours each year to spend volunteering for causes near and dear to them. Thousands of hours are committed to charities, fundraisers and special events such as the annual United Way Day of Caring. Raking leaves and washing windows during the United Way Day of Caring. Our employees are the backbone of everything we do, and we re proud they are willing to share their many talents in their communities.

7 Agriculture Universities and Colleges Over the years AgCountry has supported the building and advancement of agriculture studies at various colleges and universities in our area. Ten years ago there was declining enrollment in ag related courses of study and North Dakota State University was in the process of realigning to better attract students to ag related majors. Part of this reinvention was the construction of Barry Hall and the renovation of the Pioneer Mutual Life Insurance building near downtown Fargo the new home for the College of Business and the Department of Agribusiness and Applied Economics. AgCountry made a multi-year commitment to this project for the betterment of NDSU Agribusiness students, faculty, and staff and the future of agriculture. The result is a top of the line learning environment where the best and brightest gain the knowledge they need to move agriculture into the future. AgCountry completed its commitment to this project in 2016, and is proud to support rural communities and agriculture through the development of our youth pursuing careers in agriculture at NDSU. Giving Summary AgCountry donated over $500,000 in support of agriculture and our communities. 4-H/FFA/Youth $70,000 Young Beginning Farmer Scholarships $16,000 United Way $21,000 Support for Commodity and Agriculture Groups $42,000 Local Hunger Related Causes $16,000 College Scholarships $42,000 Fire, Rescue and Rural Initiatives $17,000 Schools and School Activities $18,000 Agriculture Universities and Colleges $150,000 Other Gifts to our Local Communities $110,000 Distributed in our 43 county service area to causes, organizations and events

8 AgCountry Farm Credit Services P.O. Box 6020 Fargo, ND Follow us on social media