Cowley County 4-H Receives $10K Donation From Valley Coop, CoBank

Pictured in the photo are (L-R): Brooks Mugler, Valley Coop Board Secretary; Melissa Henderson, 4-H Council Vice President  Dominic Jirak, 4-H Council Treasurer; Madison Sultz, 4-H Council President; James Jirak, Valley Coop General Manager; Elisa Donley, 4-H Council Secretary. (Courtesy photo)

A check for $10,000 was presented to the Cowley County 4-H Council recently.

According to a news release from Valley Coop, Inc., General Manager James Jirak, the Winfield-based coop presented the check on Dec. 17. The donation will go to the Cowley County 4-H Development Fund. The 4-H Development Fund supports 4-H youth development programming in Cowley County. The contribution will help support equipment improvements and youth scholarship and leadership development. The donation was made possible by a contribution from Valley Coop and matching funds from CoBank’s Sharing Success program.

Every year, CoBank designates 3-million dollars to match contributions made by local member cooperatives of CoBank.

“It is a wonderful opportunity to give back to organizations in the communities that we do business in,” Jirak stated. “The 4-H program in Cowley County is developing our next generation of agricultural and community leaders and we value the positive impact that these youths make in our local communities.”

Kelsey Nordyke, Cowley County 4-H Youth Development Agent, said, “This contribution will help in funding a new 4-H announcers stand and additional educational programs.”

Valley Coop is based in Winfield, with locations in Atlanta, Burden, Hackney, Kellogg and New Salem. The coop specializes in providing grain marketing, feed, agronomy and fuel services to its members in its trade area. CoBank is based in Denver Colorado and provides loans, leases, export financing and other financial services to agribusinesses and rural power, water and communications providers in all 50 states.

Cowley County 4-H is the youth development organization for Cowley County K-State Research and Extension. Our local program serves over 300 youth, with the help of over 100 adult volunteers. In 4‑H, we believe in the power of young people. We see that every child has valuable strengths and real influence to improve the world around us. Cowley County 4-H is proud to be supported by Valley Coop, Inc. and CoBank.