CRAWFORDSVILLE, Ind. — March 20 marks the first official day of spring, and in celebration of that much-anticipated day, Ceres Solutions announces three much-anticipated financial contributions being made all across the company’s service area.
First, more than $25,000 is being awarded in across Indiana and in Michigan for local high school and college scholarships in the coming weeks. The Ceres Solutions Board of Directors recently approved this program commitment for 2019, and also helped select the recipients, who were among a very qualified pool of applicant candidates. Students will be informed through their schools regarding the financial awards, and Ceres Solutions is pleased to help send students to campus in the fall of 2019 with this extra financial support.
In addition to scholarship funds, more than $64,000 in charitable donations is being distributed and presented to local 4-H youth program leaders and county programs, thanks to a commitment from Ceres Solutions and a matching investment from their partners at Land O’Lakes. The donations are greatly appreciated at the county level by extension staff who use the funds to purchase supplies and support programming. In addition to financial donations, Ceres Solutions team members donate fair week supplies and manpower hours to help area 4-H kids enjoy a safe and successful fair season.
And finally, in addition to the investments in youth, the company is also in the fortunate financial position to return patronage to farmer-members as well. Ceres Solutions is a 100% farmer-owned business which is structured as a cooperative. This week, more than $7 million is being returned to thousands of farmer-members who are shareholders in the business. These funds are returned to members in the form of cash and equity credits, and this year $4.9 million of the total is in cash. This patronage was made possible by local farmers and customers who have done business with the company (energy, agronomy and animal nutrition) in the last year.
Ceres Solutions Cooperative, based in Crawfordsville, Indiana, serves more than 35 counties in Indiana and Michigan. Every year, the company strives to make a positive financial impact in each local community. “Our partners at Land O’Lakes and the customers who do business with us make these donations possible,” says CEO Jeff Troike. “It is especially rewarding to be able to invest in scholarships and 4-H programs that specifically benefit rural children.” For more information about Ceres Solutions Cooperative, visit www.ceres.coop. You might also follow the company on Facebook.
— Ceres Solutions Cooperative
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