Agriculture has long been a vital part of Chippewa County's history, but it is facing many changes today.  As the fund grows, it will become a significant factor in supporting the tradition of Chippewa County's agricultural industry and way of life.

Few will forget the highly successful Farm Technology Days (FTD) hosted by Chippewa County on the Hilger Farms near Bloomer in 2004.  To ensure the benefits of FTD would be permanent, leaders of the event decided to use $25,000 of the earnings generated from that event to leave a lasting legacy by establishing a donor-advised endowment fund with the Community Foundation of Chippewa County.  

The purpose of the fund is to encourage and provide support for opportunities in the field of agriculture and for related endeavors of particular interest and benefit to the people of Chippewa County.  As the fund grows, a portion of the earnings will be distributed in the form of grants to nonprofit organizations that serve agricultural interests in Chippewa County. Preference will be given to the projects that-

• Help keep people abreast of changes in technology affecting rural life.
• Help support innovation in agriculture. 
• Address the particular needs of people living in Chippewa County. 
• Help develop leadership skills of persons living in Chippewa County. 
• Help Support conferences or other activities aimed at benefiting those living in Chippewa County.

An advisory committee appointed by the FTD Executive Committee will recommend grant recipients to the Foundation Board of Directors.