Nonprofit organizations help rural communities thrive, and farmers across the U.S. have an opportunity to help these organizations. Through the America’s Farmers Grow Communities program, sponsored by the Monsanto Fund, farmers can enroll for a chance to direct a $2,500 donation to a local eligible nonprofit organization.

New this year, all farmers are now eligible to enroll in the program, if they meet the requirement of being 21 years old and actively engaged in farming at least 250 acres. The Grow Communities program will award more than $3 million to nonprofits in rural America in 2018.

These funds are used to provide support to a variety of rural nonprofit organizations that reflect the makeup and character of their local communities, including food banks, emergency response organizations, youth agriculture programs and many others. Since the program began in 2010, the Grow Communities program has awarded more than $26 million in donations.

Ron Rockhold, a repeat winning farmer from Sabina, Ohio, directed three years of donations to his local volunteer fire department. With the funds, Concord Green Volunteer Fire Department has purchased three tornado sirens. Previously, the community only had one siren from the 1950s, which they have replaced and added two additional sirens. The new sirens will now be heard across the county and will provide a much-needed alert system to notify community members of violent weather conditions.

“Prior to receiving the donations, the fire department did not have the resources to install enough new sirens to cover our county’s most highly-populated areas,” said Rockhold. “As a 49-year veteran of the fire department, I am so grateful to the America’s Farmers Grow Communities program for the opportunity to give back.”

“Through the years, we have seen this program impact countless local communities, and we are proud to partner with farmers on this initiative to continue supporting nonprofit organizations important to them,” said Al Mitchell, Monsanto Fund president. “Because of farmers’ commitment to the Grow Communities program, their donations have provided vital support to organizations that make a lasting impact in local communities throughout the U.S.”

Farmers can easily enroll in the Grow Communities program from now to Nov. 1, 2017. Online enrollment, as well as a complete list of program rules and eligibility information, can be found at www.GrowCommunities.com or by calling 1-877-267-3332 toll-free.  

About America’s Farmers

The America’s Farmers campaign highlights the importance of modern US Agriculture through communications and community outreach programs that partner with farmers to impact rural America. To learn more, visit America’s Farmers at www.AmericasFarmers.com.

About the Monsanto Fund

The Monsanto Fund, the philanthropic arm of Monsanto Company, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening the communities where farmers and Monsanto Company employees live and work. Visit the Monsanto Fund at www.monsantofund.org.