Lipinski Rural Initiatives Award

The Lipinski Rural Initiatives Award aims to recognize innovative and transformational efforts to revitalize rural communities in the Northeast. For the 2023 award, Farm Credit East and its strategic partner CoBank have committed a combined $50,000 to these individuals, organizations or institutions. The nomination deadline has passed. Winners will be announced by April.

Utility work alongside rural Vermont road.

About the Award

Former Farm Credit East CEO Bill Lipinski was an advocate for Northeast rural communities. During his tenure, he witnessed the economic success of some rural areas while others faced hardships, including real or perceived lack of job opportunities/loss of key employers, declining populations/demographics, etc. Lipinski understood that the long-term success of Farm Credit customers depends on not only the vitality of their individual business, but also on the health of the rural communities where they are based, and he knew Farm Credit East could do more to combat this disparity among rural communities. That is why the Farm Credit East Board of Directors established the Lipinski Rural Initiatives Award upon his retirement – to grow the organization's support of rural communities in his honor.

Past Recipients

The 2022 recipients were Cayuga Milk Ingredients/Cayuga Marketing, two affiliated dairy organizations, and The Foundation for Rural Service.

Cayuga Milk's $25,000 award supported programs for both dairy manufacturing and farm employees, including providing opportunities for networking and to improve their knowledge and technical skills. Learn more about their project in the short video below.

The Foundation for Rural Service, a 501(c)3 created by NCTA – The Rural Broadband Association, was recognized for its Virtual Living Room initiative in Bristol, Vermont, a project carried out in conjunction with Waitsfield and Champlain Valley Telecom. The Foundation for Rural Service's award supported broadband access projects in the rural Northeast. Learn more about their project in the short video below.

In 2021, the award's inaugural year, recipients were Letchworth Gateway Villages and Three Rivers Farmers Alliance. Learn more in this short video.

Eligibility

The Lipinski Rural Initiatives Award is to recognize previous, existing and/or ongoing initiatives. It is not intended as a grant to fund future projects, although it is hoped the financial award and the recognition from receiving the award will enhance the recipients’ ability to continue to make a positive impact in the future.

The award aims to recognize and reward programs, projects, individuals, businesses, organizations and/or institutions that:

Create jobs in rural areas of the Northeast.
Contribute to the quality of life in rural communities.
Enhance the infrastructure, such as community facilities and broadband, necessary for strong rural economies.

This award is not intended to recognize innovative production agriculture practices unless there is a broader impact beyond the farm level.

Nominees should be based in Farm Credit East’s territory, although nominees from outside the territory may be eligible if the initiative for which they are being nominated is positively impacting the rural areas of Farm Credit East’s territory (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont). Self-nominations are permitted.

Funds will be provided directly to the recipient. Awards will be made at the sole discretion of the selection committee.

Disclosure Requirement for Farm Credit Directors and Employees

Any Director or employee of Farm Credit East or CoBank shall clearly indicate their affiliation with Farm Credit in their supporting materials. Failure to disclose this information shall cause the project to be ineligible for consideration.

2023 Award

For the 2023 award, Farm Credit East and its strategic partner CoBank have committed a combined $50,000 to these individuals, organizations or institutions.

The deadline for the 2023 award has passed. Winners will be selected by April.