At GreenStone, our passion for supporting our rural communities runs deep - they’re where we live, work, and play too! Our commitment to watching local farmers, families, and industry organizations remain strong and resilient, can be seen in the partnerships and collaborations we participate in year-round. We partner with countless organizations who are dedicated to seeing the ongoing success of agriculture. A few of those partnerships and organizations include both Michigan Farm Bureau and Wisconsin Farm Bureau, Brown County Dairy Promotion’s “Breakfast on the Farm”, and numerous Michigan State University Extension Programs. Whether it be to support young, beginning or small farmers, multi-generational farms, or the next generation, all provide unique partnership opportunities for education, resources, engagement, and support, making an impact on our rural communities.
GreenStone is proud to support the future of agriculture through our partnership with Michigan Farm Bureau and Wisconsin Farm Bureau. With members across both states and a mission to promote the advancement of agriculture, Michigan and Wisconsin Farm Bureaus understand the resilience required of young, beginning, and small farmers to navigate today’s agricultural landscape, and provide support through a wide variety of educational resources and programs.
Our commitment to supporting the next generation of agriculturists starts with providing education to communities and our local youth. Through our partnership with Brown County Dairy Promotions in Wisconsin, GreenStone is proud to sponsor their annual Breakfast on the Fam event, which provides an opportunity for families to tour a local farm, learn more about where their food comes from, and enjoy a tasty breakfast of course! Each year the Breakfast on the Farm event is hosted by a different Wisconsin farm family which provides a unique experience for participants to learn how different farms operate. Establishing a connection to agriculture at an early age is paramount to educating our youth and supporting the next generation of farmers or agribusiness owners!
Yet another way GreenStone remains committed to supporting the resilience of the agriculture industry is through our partnership with Michigan State University’s Extension (MSUE) Programs. Designed to bring vast knowledge and resources directly to individuals, communities, and businesses, the MSUE programs cover a wide variety of topics such as agriculture, businesses, food and health, natural resources, and more. Our partnership with MSUE continues to provide updated education and resources to the farmers and agribusinesses who need them.
At GreenStone, we recognize if we want to help build strong and resilient communities, it starts with contributing our own time and talents. Each year, GreenStone team members across our locations participate in events and organizations that enhance their local communities. In 2024, we proudly contributed over 8,900 hours and $1.2 million in financial support. This time spent includes participation in youth educational events; agriculture-advocation and producer education; young, beginning and small farmer resources; and support for our rural communicates; totaling over one whole year’s worth of time volunteering to create more resilient communities!
GreenStone is dedicated to making a meaningful impact through education as well. In 2024, we awarded $60,000 in scholarships to students pursuing careers in agriculture. This brings our total scholarship contributions since 2010 to over $500,000. By investing in the education of future agricultural leaders, we’re not only supporting individual aspirations but also ensuring the sustainability and growth of our communities and the agricultural industry.
Throughout the year, GreenStone has prioritized resilience in our outreach initiatives. By partnering with organizations focused on community and industry advancement, we are investing in a more sustainable future for the agriculture industry. Through our collaboration we are not only supporting our rural communities but also empowering the next generation of farmers to thrive in an ever-evolving landscape.
