The foundation is celebrating with Patrick Costello, who was recently recognized for “Outstanding Service to the Profession” as one of Minnesota Lawyer’s 2018 Attorneys of the Year. The awards honor top attorneys throughout the state for their notable achievements.
Pat pioneered the Keep It Growing℠ farmland giving program at Southwest Initiative Foundation to keep farmland in production while retaining wealth in rural communities. Community foundations across the country are using Pat’s model to help donors leave a meaningful legacy.
“I think rural towns shouldn’t be abandoned by professionals,” said Pat, a partner at Costello, Carlson, Butzon & Schmit LLP, whose roots date back to 1887. “Lawyers really do add value to the life of rural society.”
Pat and his wife Marcy are charter Growing Home Circle donors and have both contributed significantly to the foundation. The couple is pictured at the Minnesota Lawyer award ceremony with SWIF President and CEO Diana Anderson.
Pat grew up in his dad’s pharmacy on Main Street in Lakefield. He went to Hamline University and Creighton University School of Law. He is a past president of the American Agricultural Law Association, a fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel, trustee for several private charitable foundations, lawyer for Robert and Helen Remick Foundation, and a Minnesota State Bar Foundation director.
“Congratulations to Pat for this richly-deserved honor,” Diana said. “We’re grateful to be part of his innovative idea to keep wealth in our rural communities. It is an honor and a joy to work with Pat, and I want to thank him for leading the way in rural philanthropy.”
Find out more about Pat’s innovative idea for donating farmland through Keep It Growing.
