03/25/13 The LaVille FFA Chapter and Saint Joseph County 4-H Swine Club will now be able to better serve the community thanks to the support of local farmer, Cyndy Keeling, and America’s Farmers Grow Communities.
Sponsored by the Monsanto Fund, the philanthropic arm of Monsanto Company, Grow Communities provides farmers in eligible counties the chance to win a $2,500 donation for a local nonprofit organization of their choice. To further support counties declared natural disaster areas by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) due to the drought this year, winning farmers in these counties are able to direct double donations, a total of $5,000.
Saint Joseph County was declared a disaster area by the USDA, giving Keeling the opportunity to choose two organizations to receive $2,500 donations. Keeling selected the LaVille FFA Chapter and Saint Joseph County 4-H Swine Club.
The LaVille FFA Chapter will use its donation for its community service projects and to start an agriculture club to teach elementary school students about agriculture and healthy eating.
Saint Joseph County 4-H Swine Club will use its donation for building improvements.
“America’s Farmers Grow Communities is a tremendous program that reaches out to the agricultural youth of America,” Keeling said. “I am so proud to be able to direct a donation to each of these organizations. I am certain that both of these groups have the leaders of tomorrow that will guide agriculture in the future.”
This year, the Monsanto Fund will invest nearly $6 million in rural America through Grow Communities, which includes double donations for counties impacted by the historic drought.
In Indiana, $415,000 is being given across 83 counties.
America’s Farmers Grow Communities is sponsored by the Monsanto Fund to partner with farmers in helping them positively impact their communities. This program is part of the Monsanto Fund’s overall effort to strengthen rural America.
For a complete list of Grow Communities winners and more program information, please visit growcommunities.com.
About the Monsanto Fund
The Monsanto Fund, the philanthropic arm of the Monsanto Company, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening the farm communities where farmers and Monsanto Company employees live and work. Visit the Monsanto Fund at www.monsantofund.org.
