Environment Grants
The AgStar Fund for Rural America environment grants help maintain or improve the quality of the rural environment.
American Lung Association of Minnesota – Funds helped increase use of cleaner, Minnesota-grown, high-octane, renewable-based E85 fuel in flexible fuel vehicles (FFVs). Four E85 consumer events were scheduled throughout the state.
Blue Earth County Environmental Services – Monies from the grant will be used for a Conservation Campaign at the River Hills Mall and Watershed Awareness projects at county parks.
Chippewa Valley Technical College – Provided funds for curriculum improvement related to conservation of soil nutrients. Learn more.
East Chain 4-H Club – Provided funds for supplies for the 4-H Club’s community pride project to build a retaining wall to help prevent erosion at Wolter Park in East Chain.
Faribault County Soil and Water – Helped create a "Guide to Rural Living" brochure and web site to inform potential and/or current property owners about property issues that may affect them.
Heron Lake Watershed District – Provided funds for three Best Management Practices workshops for residents of southwestern Minnesota.
The Kinnickinnic River Land Trust – Funds will be used for land purchases, conservation easements and educational tools to continue protecting and conserving the natural resources and the scenic beauty of the Kinnickinnic River Watershed.
Message in a Bottle - Funds were used to purchase a recycling floor scale needed to more efficiently weigh collected recyclables. Learn more.
Minnesota Logger Education Program – Provided funds to help design and deliver three, eight-hour workshops in "Utilization and Marketing of Forest Products."
The Minnesota Project – Funds were used to help examine the feasibility of and create preliminary business plans for developing digesters on mid-sized farms. Also provided for market research about the economic feasibility of anaerobic digester systems as well as potential barriers.
Prairie Ecology Bus Center – Helped with general operating costs for a mobile environmental learning center to expand its programming capacity and to educate people of all ages about the natural resources in southern and western Minnesota.
St. Croix Co. Land & Water Conservation Dept. – Funds provided program support for the St. Croix County Conservation Education Program.
To find out more about the AgStar Fund for Rural America, contact Jody Bloemke, Fund Administrator. Email Jody.Bloemke@AgStar.com, call 507-345-5656, or write to P.O. Box 4249, Mankato, MN 56002.