Thanks to the generosity of an organization that helps farmers and ranchers with financial matters, the Sanders County 4-H club will gain a new cooler for their fairgrounds pavilion.

AgWest Farm Credit, an organization committed to improving the economic and social well being of rural communities throughout the west, presented the SC4-H with a donation in the amount of $1,000 during last week’s agriculture award presentations at the conclusion of the 2023 Sanders County Fair.

Scott Kesler, a spokesman for AgWest FC said the donation was made in the form of a Rural Community Grant donation.

“This grant is open to any nonprofit that is in need of funding for projects that benefit their community,” Kesler said.

The donation, along with funds raised by the SC4H during this year’s fair will be used to purchase a new cooler for the kitchen in the 4-H Pavilion at the Fairgrounds in Plains.

Kesler said 4-H, along with the Future Farmers of America, and other agriculture education programs have been at the heart of the company’s support for the agriculture community.

“4-H, FFA and agriculture education based programs have always been a focus of our support,” he said. “Many of our employees were raised up through these programs, have children who participate in the programs, and/or actively involved. We consider these organizations crucial to the future of agriculture and our rural communities.”

The cooler will replace an aging one inside the Pavilion, which is a vital part of fund raising for the 4-H organization. Kesler said AgWest plans to continue supporting agriculture organizations in the years to come.

“We are honored to be able to make a contribution to Sanders County 4-H,” he said. “We are excited to see 4-H continue to flourish in those communities and are proud to be a supporter.”

Over the years AgWest has made a variety of donations to support rural communities, including a new fire engine for a rural fire department, a new multi-purpose community building, local park improvements and computers for a community center’s educational classes.

The average grant award is between $500 and $2,500.