Community Foundation Launches 2026 Grant Program to Boost Agricultural Education in Illinois and Missouri
The Community Foundation Serving West Central Illinois & Northeast Missouri has announced the launch of the 'AgForward' grant program, aimed at advancing education and innovation in production agriculture. Nonprofit educational institutions and organizations in west central Illinois and northeast Missouri are invited to apply for grants of up to $5,000. The program is supported by the Bob W. Richter Endowment for Agricultural Education and the Compeer Financial Rural Collaboration Project. The initiative seeks to strengthen agriculture by supporting hands-on learning, emerging technologies, and workforce development opportunities. Catherine Bocke Meckes, CEO of the Community Foundation, emphasized the importance of agriculture to the region and the role of the program in ensuring its sustainability. Compeer Financial has committed over $1.4 million to support similar initiatives across Illinois, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. 
