In the News

As a cooperative, AgWest’s purpose is to champion agriculture by serving as the most trusted resource, helping their customers, employees and communities thrive. In pursuit of this purpose, AgWest developed a unique stewardship program dedicated to helping rural communities.

The program is guided by members of the LAC, a group of approximately 270 customer-members from across AgWest’s territory who are entrusted to provide feedback from their local communities to the AgWest Board of Directors and leadership team. Over the past several months, LAC members identified worthy organizations in their local communities, compiled and reviewed a robust list of impactful projects and recommended local organizations to receive awards. Funds from these awards will be used for a wide range of community projects, including improving and expanding fairgrounds facilities, replacing or upgrading equipment for rural volunteer firefighters, purchasing a cooler for a food bank and more.

“Rural communities are essential for the continued success of agriculture," said Bill Perry, President and CEO of AgWest. "Through this unique giving program, we listen to our Local Advisors to ensure our stewardship dollars are invested wisely. They know the needs of their local communities, and with their input, we direct funds to help respond to those needs. Their guidance positions us to be good stewards who are supporting the communities where our customers run their businesses, and where our employees work and live.”

A list of the 2025 recipient organizations for the LAC-guided giving program can be viewed here. For more information about AgWest community engagement and current grant and scholarship opportunities, visit the community engagement page.