:: community involvement

We strongly believe in the future of production agriculture and that our youth are the key to ensuring we realize that belief. As such, we provide part-time jobs specifically for agriculture-oriented, high-school-age students to get them interested in a career with us, or if not, convince them there is a future in agriculture and encourage them to return to some career in production agriculture after graduation.

We are developing an annual scholarship program for high-school seniors interested in a career in production agriculture. This program will be implemented in early 2006 for ‘06 graduating seniors.

We provide fund-raising opportunities for the organizations listed below, such as car washes, hot dog sales or cash donations for their assistance in product demonstrations or shows. We also provide direct cash donations in support of these programs.

In addition, we are strong supporters of local humane societies through direct donations and sponsoring pet adoptions days at our stores.

On occasion, we provide direct, ongoing support for specially-trained, high profile animals such as drug detection canines and search and rescue canines owned by various local law enforcement agencies. For example, we have committed to providing the ongoing feed needs for the drug dog owned by the Gering, Nebraska police department and the same for the drug dog for the Scottsbluff County Sheriff's Department.

The Mercantile also supports 4H, FFA and The High School Rodeo Association.