Dr. Zigang Dong, (from left) executive director of The Hormel Institute, accepts a check Wednesday from John Monson, chairman of the AgStar Fund Board of Trustees, and Larry Anderson, business development executive for AgStar Rural Capital Network. The AgStar Fund for Rural America is committing $30,000 over three years to The Hormel Institute's world-renowned cancer research." -- photo provided

In its ongoing efforts to improve the future for rural communities, the AgStar Fund for Rural America has committed $30,000 overall for the next three years to supporting The Hormel Institute’s world-renowned cancer research.

This annual giving plan — donating $10,000 annually for three years – serves as the first made specifically to support cancer research by the AgStar Fund, which, since its inception in 2001, has donated more than $3 million to organizations working to improve rural America’s future. The AgStar Fund is a corporate giving program of AgStar Financial Services based in Mankato, Minn., with a mission to enhance the quality of life and future opportunities for rural residents and their communities.

Dr. Zigang Dong, executive director of The Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota-Mayo Clinic, accepted the gift Wednesday from John Monson, chairman of AgStar’s Fund Board of Trustees.

As with all donations, the AgStar funds will go 100 percent directly toward The Hormel Institute’s cutting-edge research and technologies focused on identifying nontoxic, natural compounds found in plant-based foods for preventing or controlling cancer.

“We deeply appreciate our friends at AgStar Fund for Rural America and their commitment to supporting The Hormel Institute’s cancer research,” said Dr. Zigang Dong, Executive Director of The Hormel Institute. “This is a gift for all of us. Funding for cancer research is a gift that helps people everywhere as it makes discoveries possible. AgStar has long been our friend and we welcome them now as an important new partner.”

AgStar is honored and privileged to support The Hormel Institute through its Fund for Rural America, Monson said.

“AgStar is all about enhancing life in rural America and The Hormel Institute’s mission dovetails perfectly with that concept,” Monson said. “Not only is the work they are doing of the utmost importance – saving lives – but the Institute also brings new jobs to rural Minnesota and shines a spotlight on how our food, and where it comes from, impacts the health of everyone.”