At the Farm Progress Show in Boone, Iowa this week, Monsanto announced full launch of the America’s Farmers Grow Communities program. John Raines, Monsanto Customer Advocacy Lead said the program is moving beyond the pilot phase and into 1201 counties in 38 states. The program gives farmers a chance to win $2,500 for their community.
“Our rural communities are the heart of America and certainly the lifeblood of America’s farmers,” said Raines. “But most rural communities don’t have today the tax base that they had years gone by and in fact rural communities are no different than most communities, they are having to stretch their dollars farther today than ever before.”
America’s Farmers Grow Communities first pilot program began in January in the states of Iowa, Missouri and Arkansas. Monsanto gave away nearly $500,000 to local communities in 179 counties.
One farmer in each county was selected to win $2,500 to benefit a local non-profit like 4-H, FFA or other civic groups.
A second pilot was launched working with Monsanto Fund, the company’s philanthropic arm, providing about $750,000 to nearly 300 counties in California, Kansas, Nebraska, Ohio, North Carolina, South Carolina and South Dakota.
Brett Begemann, Chairman of the Monsanto Fund and Executive Vice President of Monsanto explained that this expanded program will invest more than $3 million in our rural communities on an annual basis.
Farmers age 21 and over who are actively engaged in farming at least 250 acres of row crops, 40 acres of vegetables or 10 acres of tomatoes or peppers are eligible to sign up.
Farmers can sign up for this program Aug. 31 – Dec. 31, 2010. Monsanto Fund will donate $1 to the United Way for every entry and all of those donations will stay in the local community of the entrant.
Farmers can sign up at the Farm Progress Show or online at www.growcommunities.com or they can call 1-877-267-3332.
Conversation with Brett Begemann
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