EQUESTRIAN NEWS BRIEFS 4-H GROWS HERE HANDS-ON ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS The hands-on educational resources 4-H is known for are now available at home! Whether you're a 4-H member, a virtual learner, a homeschooler, or just looking for some quick and fun activities to take your interests to the next level, 4-H at Home has something for everyone. Explore the resources and join our newsletter to stay updated about new 4-H at Home activities. Visit https://4-h.org/about/4-h-at-home/
EQUESTRIANS – REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL DUE MARCH 31, 2022
COMMERCE TOWNSHIP NEWS The Charter Township of Commerce, MI is currently accepting bid proposals for a concessionaire agreement for the purpose of providing the general public a recreational and/or an educational opportunity to learn about, interact with, and ride horses, whereby concessionaire shall operate a public use horse stable and riding facility on a year-round basis. The approximately 30acre property is located at 2552 Wixom Rd., Commerce Twp., MI 48382. The property includes: horse stable, various buildings, outbuildings, fenced pasture along with an indoor and outdoor riding arena. Site visit dates: March 7th 9am-12pm, and March 14th 2pm-5pm. Request for proposal due: March 31, 2022. If you have any questions, please call 248.926.0063, email eenglang@commercetwp.com, or visit www.commercetwp.com.
GREENSTONE FARM CREDIT SERVICES LAUNCHES EXPANDED PROGRAM GreenStone Farm Credit Services is proud to announce the expanded program for young, beginning, and small farmers – Cultivate Growth. CultivateGrowth is designed to support the diversity of modern agriculture through tailored financial and educational support initiatives.
GreenStone has already been working with young, beginning, and small farmers for over 100 years, and the new program services will benefit even more agricultural individuals for the future. CultivateGrowth launches a brand new loan program specifically designed for this community. The CultivateGrowth Emerging Loan has simpler, more relaxed standards, providing a financing option to some customers who may not have previously been able to qualify for a loan at any financial institution. Coupled with the new loan program remains the financing options young, beginning and small farmers have been benefitting from for decades. As a result, more customers will be able to obtain financing for their dream agricultural businesses. As agriculture is a rapidly changing, diversifying industry, GreenStone has prioritized its support by providing customers with learning opportunities. Those members in the Emerging Loan program can also earn a reduced interest rate after completing a slate of educational activities, like financial training, educational conferences, tax and accounting services, mentorship programs, and more. To help provide producers with many of the educational opportunities and support necessary for success, GreenStone is also once again committing up to $40,000 annually to young, beginning, and small farmers through CultivateGrowth Grants. Grants are available for the reimbursement of many of the activities and resources that will help them learn and grow their business – including educational opportunities and business-related services like farm consultants and GreenStone's accounting and tax services. In order to prepare the next generation for success, GreenStone is also working to connect producers through the Cultivate Growth Mentorship. Through this partnership, new and experienced farmers are paired to help share industry knowledge, pass along on-farm lessons, and help equip them for the challenges of the agricultural industry. “It's always been our priority at GreenStone to support young, beginning, and small farmers in Michigan and northeastern Wisconsin,” said Dave Armstrong, GreenStone CEO and president. “We're confident
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these new elements, paired with our century of support for these customers, will continue to bring a diverse and modern approach to our industry. We warmly welcome farmers of all types to begin a successful, long-lasting partnership with GreenStone.” Young, beginning, and small farmers each have a standard to qualify, and customers can meet one metric that aligns with the federal definitions: young farmers are those under 35 years of age, beginning farmers have less than 10 years of farming experience, and small farmers experience less than $250,000 gross farm income per year. More information on GreenStone FCS can be found at www.greenstonefcs.com
PLEASE CONSIDER AN ANNUAL GIFT OF $25, $50, $100, OR MORE TO THE IEA BENEVOLENT FUND The IEA Benevolent Fund was established nine years ago to provide financial aid to riders who need funding assistance in order to take lessons and compete in the IEA. The Fund also helps coaches who are dealing with unfortunate circumstances such as health issues, injuries, barn fires, wildfires, and other unexpected tragedies that translate into a loss of business income. Contributing to the IEA Benevolent Fund is easy to do! Just click on the link below, OR if you prefer to send a check, mail it to our National Office at: Interscholastic Equestrian Association, PO Box 809, Chagrin Falls, OH 44022. The IEA is a 501.c.3 nonprofit corporation, your donation is tax deductible. Thank you for your support. Visit: https://www.rideiea.org/donate/
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