BRENTWOOD, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Tractor Supply Company Foundation has donated $50,000 to the American Farmland Trust’s Farmer Relief Fund to help farmers in weathering the storm of market disruptions caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
American Farmland Trust is a national organization dedicated to protecting agricultural land, promoting environmentally sound farming practices and keeping farmers on the land. Farmers nationwide applied for a grant from the Farmer Relief Fund during the pandemic. American Farmland Trust has awarded more than 1,000 grants so far, and the Tractor Supply Company Foundation is proud to aid them in supporting 50 more farmers with the funds.
“We are honored to partner with American Farmland Trust to help American farmers during this challenging time,” said Mary Winn Pilkington, Tractor Supply’s Senior Vice President of Investor Relations and Public Relations and President of the Tractor Supply Company Foundation. “The value that small- to mid-size farms provide to our communities with food and related products is paramount, and we are glad to do what we can to help support them through this pandemic.”
The $50,000 is being donated from the newly formed Tractor Supply Company Foundation that was introduced in March with an initial focus on COVID-19 recovery efforts.
The fund’s first round of grant distribution began in the spring. California vegetable farmer Guillermo Lazaro suffered from a decrease in restaurant and farmers market sales, but with the assistance from the Farmer Relief Fund, he was able to keep his business running. In North Carolina, grant recipient Nicole Coston, a former dietician, has been able to maintain her farm’s CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) program that provides fresh produce to support SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), along with providing recipes and menu plans centered on health and wellness. Other grant recipients have used the funds to create direct-to-consumer sales, pay employees, relieve COVID-related debts and more.
"American Farmland Trust is grateful for Tractor Supply's support of the Farmer Relief Fund. Their investment will support 50 family farms across the country. This gift comes at a critical time," said Ryan Lauer, American Farmland Trust Director of Corporate Partnerships. “With many farmers facing reduced traffic at farmers markets, fewer sales to restaurants and an uncertain future – Tractor Supply is helping to support rural communities and stabilize operations for farmers who help put food on our tables."
For more information on American Farmland Trust’s Farmer Relief Fund, visit Farmland.org/Relief. To learn more about the Tractor Supply Company Foundation and the Company’s charitable giving, visit Corporate.TractorSupply.com/Community.
About Tractor Supply Company
Tractor Supply Company (NASDAQ: TSCO), the largest rural lifestyle retailer in the United States, has been passionate about serving its unique niche, as a one-stop shop for recreational farmers, ranchers and all those who enjoy living the rural lifestyle, for more than 80 years. Tractor Supply offers an extensive mix of products necessary to care for home, land, pets and animals with a focus on product localization, exclusive brands and legendary customer service that addresses the needs of the Out Here lifestyle. With more than 33,000 Team Members, the Company leverages its physical store assets with digital capabilities to offer customers the convenience of purchasing products they need anytime, anywhere and any way they choose at the everyday low prices they deserve. At March 28, 2020, the Company operated 1,863 Tractor Supply stores in 49 states and an e-commerce website at www.TractorSupply.com.
Tractor Supply Company also owns and operates Petsense, a small-box pet specialty supply retailer focused on meeting the needs of pet owners, primarily in small and mid-size communities, and offering a variety of pet products and services. At March 28, 2020, the Company operated 180 Petsense stores in 26 states. For more information on Petsense, visit www.Petsense.com.
To stay up to date on all things for Life Out Here, follow Tractor Supply on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
