Community Story

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

Led by members of the Local Advisory Committee (LAC) who are AgWest customers, the LAC Guided Giving Program directs funding to organizations working to improve the lives of those in rural communities. More than 260 LAC members represent 15 regions of the AgWest territory and bring forward projects that will have the biggest impact on their local communities.

Here is a look at the impact this program is making on local communities in AgWest’s service area.

In 2024, the Imbler Education Foundation in eastern Oregon received $50,000 as part of a $1.3 million project to install an eight-lane rubberized track around the Imbler high school’s football field, as well as lights and new field event facilities. Prior to installing the rubberized lanes, the students ran on a track of compacted pea gravel – which didn’t stop them from winning track and field state championships in both 2024 and 2025.

“For a town the size of Imbler, having a company like AgWest that’s willing to invest in the community is huge, and shows that it’s a priority. As a small community, we couldn’t raise that much, so we relied on AgWest and others. A grant like this serves the whole community.”–Wade Bingaman, Imbler, Oregon

In 2023, the Grace Volunteer Fire Department in southeast Idaho received $75,000 to upgrade its radio fleet to support a 700 megahertz signal. The small department, which is entirely self-funded and volunteer run, also responds to calls around the county, including fires involving haystacks and agricultural equipment and buildings. By upgrading 15 handheld and five truck radios, the department now communicates more effectively internally and with other agencies across Caribou County.

“Being able to communicate with and keep track of our volunteer firefighters and equipment is a big benefit to our community. Anything that helps the department improve safety and responsiveness has huge value. It’s amazing to me that there’s an organization like AgWest that will give back to their local communities. That says a lot to me as a customer and to the organizations it gives to.”–Craig Corbett, Grace, Idaho

In 2024, Farm to School of Park County received $75,000 for infrastructure improvements at a school farm and community garden in Livingston, Montana. Each year, the organization grows 6,400 pounds of food for school meals at the hands of elementary students, high school interns and community volunteers. The funds went toward building garden beds, walking paths, drip irrigation, a shade pergola and a vegetable washing station in the community garden, which provides growing space to 27 local households and organizations annually.

“This pulls people together and shows students who’ve never had any exposure to agriculture where their food comes from. It’s a win-win for everyone. A lot of people have moved here from the big cities and don’t know what is involved in getting produce to them, or how it’s grown. This gives really good exposure.” –Roger Nelson, Livingston, Montana

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