MFU Receives More than $50k in Grants for Education Programming

Montana Farmers Union has received more than $50,000 in grants from CHS and Mountain View Co-op in support of MFU’s educational programs, including the cooperative education and the grassroots organization’s summer camp programs at Arrowpeak.

The additional funding, as well as Farmers Union Insurance’s sponsorship of T-shirts for every Arrowpeak camper, mean more kids can experience more programming and learn about agriculture and cooperatives.

The grants included $25,000 from the CHS Foundation 2023 Cooperative Education Grants Program, a $5,920 2023 CHS Foundation Cooperative Education Grant for the Day of Cooperative Education, and $20,000 from the Mountain View Co-op Foundation.

MFU Education Director Matthew Hauk said he’s thankful for the support.

“It makes camp that much better,” he said.

“We’re thankful for the work that Montana Farmers Union does for local kids, and it’s a privilege to be able to help. A big part of our mission statement is to strengthen and support the communities that we live and work in, and this donation is one way we keep our promise to Montanans,” Mountain View Co-op’s CEO Art Schmidt said.

“Cooperative education is one of the CHS Foundation’s key funding priorities,” says Megan Wolle, president, CHS Foundation. “As the giving arm of the nation’s leading farmer-owned cooperative, it’s important to help students understand the value of the cooperative business model. By supporting Montana Farmers Union’s camp and school education programs for almost twenty years, we help students learn about cooperatives through hands-on experiences so they can become future cooperative employees, owners, and leaders.”

In addition to summer camp programs, MFU participates in various ag education days and adult education programs around the state throughout the year.

“Even if it’s not taking over your farm, there’s a lot of stuff you can do within agriculture,” Hauk said, adding MFU is committed to helping kids see the opportunities.