49ͼ¿â staff and Farmers and Merchants Bank staff with a giant check for $125,000Farmers & Merchants Bank of 49ͼ¿â moved 49ͼ¿â closer to a new ag building with a $125,000 donation this week.

Monday morning, F&M President/CEO Brent Wiedeman and his staff gathered on campus at the site of the new facility, west of the Stanley Carr Agricultural Center just off College Drive. 

"Farmers and Merchants Bank is proud to make this donation to 49ͼ¿â for the new agricultural center," said Wiedeman. "As it is central to our mission, F and M is dedicated to giving back to the community. This donation is another example of our commitment to the local communities we serve and agriculture as a whole. We are excited to see this project and look forward to this facility serving the college and the region for years to come."

The 12,400-square-foot facility includes the main level on a basement with six classrooms, the largest of which can seat 53 students. Offices for 16 full-time ag employees and a 28-person meeting room are also planned. Details on the building are at .

The estimated cost of the project is $3.5 million. With the F&M Bank contribution, 49ͼ¿â has raised approximately $2.4 million.  

A groundbreaking ceremony is set for 10 a.m. on Oct. 21. Completion is anticipated in August 2023.