Flathead Electric Cooperative recently celebrated a partnership investment in the local nonprofit Land to Hand with a ceremonial check signing. The not-for-profit, member-owned cooperative awarded $3,750 to Land to Hand, which was matched dollar-for-dollar by CHS through its Seeds for Stewardship program, resulting in a total grant of $7,500 to support Land to Hand’s work in the community.
Gretchen Boyer, Executive Director of Land to Hand, explained the nonprofit’s mission as rooted in education and food access. Boyer shared, “We address these goals through our six distinct food access programs that prioritize nutrition security by leveraging local food systems and our robust farm-to-school education initiatives. These educational efforts teach children and the community practical skills in planting, tending, harvesting, and consuming locally grown food, notably through hands-on, year-round classes at the Wildcat Garden located at Columbia Falls Junior High.”
The CHS Seeds for Stewardship program provides matching grants to cooperatives for projects that strengthen rural communities. The program supports initiatives that enhance agricultural safety, promote community vitality, and expand agricultural education.
“Programs like Seeds for Stewardship allow cooperatives to amplify local impact through strong partnerships,” said Tia Robbin, Chief Administrative Officer for the Co-op. “We’re proud to partner with CHS to support Land to Hand and the meaningful work they do to serve our community.”
This investment reflects Flathead Electric Cooperative’s business principle of Concern for Community and CHS’s broader mission to strengthen rural communities through cooperative partnerships. For more information about the CHS Seeds for Stewardship program, visit the program’s official website.
Featured photo, pictured left to right: Tia Robbin, Chief Administrative Officer, FEC; Tucker Gill, Marketing & Communications, Land to Hand; Gretchen Boyer, Executive Director, Land to Hand; Courtney Stone, Communications & Marketing Supervisor, FEC
