The AgStar Fund for Rural America, the corporate-giving program of AgStar Financial Services, has announced it is once again accepting grant applications.

Grants are available up to $10,000 per organization for programs specifically supporting farmers and rural residents. Fund administrator Jody Bloemke said applicants can request funding in one of four focus areas: education, environment, technology or quality of life.

“Since creation of the AgStar Fund in 2001, we have contributed over $1 million to support rural America in our service area,” Bloemke said. “The fund continually searches for organizations working to benefit farmers and rural areas.”

Bloemke encourages those seeking funding to visit agstar.com to learn more about the AgStar Fund and to obtain guideline criteria. Grant applications must be completed on-line and will be accepted through Nov. 30. Successful grant recipients will be notified in March 2008.

AgStar Financial Services, headquartered in Mankato, operates in 69 counties in Minnesota and northwest Wisconsin. The company primarily serves the cash grain (corn and soybean production), swine and dairy industries.

(Terry Davis is a staff writer for the Hutchinson Leader. He can be reached at davis@hutchinsonleader.com.)