WAEC CheckInvestors Community Bank announced they will support the development of the Wisconsin Agricultural Education Center (WAEC) with a gift of $250,000. The proposed facility, located in Manitowoc County, will provide visitors with the opportunity to connect with where their food comes from in a state-of-the-art agricultural education center.

"Agriculture is the foundation on which Investors Community Bank was built and a huge focus for us," said Tim Schneider, CEO and co-founder at Investors Community Bank. "As the largest agriculture bank chartered in Wisconsin, our roots run deep in farming, and we felt it was important to support this visionary project from the beginning. This contribution is a way for us to further give back and reinvest in agriculture, which is vital to our local and state economies."

"Agriculture is an $88.3 billion dollar industry for the state of Wisconsin. It is our heritage and our future," agreed Dave Coggins, executive vice president of ag banking at Investors Community Bank. "This center will provide the opportunity to showcase the importance of agriculture by educating and engaging people in a conversation about where their food comes from."

In recognition of this remarkable lead gift to WAEC's capital campaign, the lobby of the discovery center will be named in Investors Community Bank's honor. This will allow visitors to gather and prepare for an exciting adventure ahead.

The center will include a discovery center that features hands-on learning opportunities through many displays and an opportunity to tour Grotegut Dairy Farm. The farm focuses on sustainability and best farming practices while milking 2,400 cows three times a day. A highlight for visitors will be the chance to view the birth of calves from the Grotegut Dairy Farm at the Wisconsin Agricultural Education Center in the Birthing Barn.

"We are thrilled Investors Community Bank sees the value in our project and views it as an asset to the state of Wisconsin," said Melissa Bender, executive director of the Wisconsin Agricultural Education Center. "Investors Community Bank was one of WAEC's original supporters in the Believers Campaign. We are beyond grateful for their continued support through this lead gift to our current campaign to build the center."

"Investors Community Bank has always been a generous leader in our community and this gift is a testament to both their support of agriculture and our region," Julie Maurer, WAEC president. "The educational opportunity supported by Investors Community Bank is good for agriculture and our ability to connect with consumers who want to know the origins of their food."

For more information contact Melissa Bender, 1290 North Avenue, Cleveland, WI 53015 at 920.693.1372 (office) or 920.946.9384 (cell) or at Melissa.bender@gotoltc.edu

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11.8.2015