CULLMAN, Ala. – The North Alabama Agriplex is excited to announce major donors for the New Home for the Harvest Capital Campaign. This includes tiered giving donors as well as naming sponsors for specific rooms.
The New Home for the Harvest Campaign kicked off fundraising at the end of 2022 for the North Alabama Agriplex’s campus expansion. The main focus is the Community Hub, the 8,525 square-foot facility that will feature a fully equipped teaching kitchen and workspace shared with the Cullman County Extension Office, the North Alabama Agriplex and farm technical assistance providers. The Community Hub will be located on the Agriplex’s current property in Cullman just off U.S. Highway 278 and I-65.
The North Alabama Agriplex reached over 26,000 programming participants in 2023 with over 7,700 of these on campus at the Agriplex. The new facility will allow the Agriplex and the Cullman County Extension Office to provide more programming and outreach for the residents of north Alabama. Canning and bread making classes, nutrition and cooking classes, along with kids’ cooking clubs will all be options in this new space.
The Agriplex was recently awarded a grant from the Natural Resources Conservation Service of USDA that will allow the Agriplex to offer three years of technical assistance to area farmers. The target audience will be beginning and military veteran farmers. This will build upon the already popular program series provided by the Agriplex and Cullman County Extension Office. Meeting space will be available for growers to receive expanded services at the Agriplex.
The 48 tiered giving donors contributed to one of six categories aptly named for an agriculture theme. These donors have pledged or donated funds for the capital campaign. Harvesters have contributed $100,000 or greater, Cultivators $75,000, Growers $25,000, Sowers $10,000, Seeds $5,000 and Roots $1,000. Tiered givers will be featured on a prominent artistic donor wall in the new community hub. The Agriplex is currently working with local sign designer Bradley Brock and Creative Signs to create a custom donor wall design. There is still room to add your name or business on this wall. Memorials and honorariums are accepted.
Please see the list of tiered donors below.
Two naming opportunities have been sponsored for the Community Hub. The lobby of the Community Hub will be named in memory of Jerry Eddleman, founding Agriplex board member, by the Cullman Savings Bank Foundation with a donation of $75,000. This space will be the entryway into the Community Hub with the donor wall, reception for both office spaces and a welcome center. The multipurpose classroom was sponsored by the generous donation of $60,000 from Big Doc and Judy Williamson. This space will be used by students, farmers and community members alike to increase their knowledge and their understanding of the agricultural roots of our area.
Naming opportunities are still available, including the $300,000 Teaching Kitchen Sponsor, two
$100,000 Teaching Kitchen partners, Porch/Breezeway for $300,000, and more options.
The North Alabama Agriplex and the Cullman County Extension Office want to see your name on the Donor Wall! Donations from $1000 to $100,000 will feature you or your business or civic group’s name. No donation is too small to help fund the Community Hub. For more information, contact Rachel Dawsey at cullmanag@gmail.com or 256-339-6218.
