WEBSTERVILLE, Vt. — Vermont Creamery and Land O’Lakes, Inc. have announced that Vermont Creamery will become an independently operated subsidiary of Minnesota-based Land O’Lakes. It will continue to produce its award-winning fresh and aged goat cheeses, cultured butter and fresh dairy at the creamery in Websterville, Vt. Ayers Brook Goat Dairy is not included in the transaction. The Hooper family will retain ownership of the farm, which will continue to serve as a key supplier to the creamery and catalyst for the growth of the goat dairy industry in Vermont. The terms of the acquisition will not be disclosed.

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Two central Illinois companies, Agrible Inc. and Crop Copter, presented donations to the Illinois FFA and Illinois 4-H on May 8 on behalf of a campaign they organized recognizing future ag leaders and their importance in the agriculture community. At a recent trade show event, Agrible and Crop Copter asked participants what they wanted to see for the future of agriculture. “For every person who stopped by the booth and told us about the kind of ag company they wanted to see for future generations, we made a donation to Illinois FFA or 4-H,” said Agrible’s chief strategy officer, Cynthia Bruno. “We heard what the agriculture community wants in an ag company, and we’re working hard to make sure that’s a reality for future generations.” USDA awards first loans in the

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Acting DeputyUnder Secretary Roger Glendenning has announced that USDA is providing zero-interest loans to two rural energy providers to help business and residential customers lower energy use and costs. USDA is awarding a $13 million Rural Energy Savings Program (RESP) loan to South Carolina’s KW Savings Co. and a $1 million loan to the Northeast Ohio Public Energy Council (NOPEC). These are the first loans USDA is making through RESP.

They are being provided through the Electric Program of USDA’s Rural Utilities Service, the successor to the Rural Electrification Administration. The Electric Program makes loans and loan guarantees in rural areas to nonprofit and cooperative associations, public bodies and other utilities to help finance the construction of electric distribution and generation facilities.

KW Savings will use the USDA loan to provide funds to seven rural electric cooperatives for South Carolina’s “Help My House” program, which supports investments in behind-the-meter technologies and building improvements to reduce consumers’ energy bills.