Officials with Monsanto report 12 central Iowa area farmers have directed $30,000 to area nonprofit organizations through America’s Farmers Grow Communities, sponsored by the Monsanto Fund. The winning farmers and organizations participated in a presentation at the Iowa Power Farming Show on Feb. 4th. Each farmer directed a $2,500 Grow Communities donation to a nonprofit organization of their choice.

The winners include:

• Roger Clayburg of Carroll County, who directed his donation to Coon Rapids – Bayard Education Corporation.
• Thelma O’Brien of Guthrie County, who directed her donation to Cottage Pantry Charitable Services.
• Jeff Tussey of Union County, who directed his donation to East Union Middle-High School.

The farmer-directed donations will help local organizations fund a variety of projects. America’s Farmers Grow Communities has collaborated with farmers in Iowa to donate over $1.9 million to local community organizations since 2010. Donations have been used to help fight rural hunger, purchase life-saving fire and EMS equipment, support ag youth programs, purchase education classroom resources and more.

Visit www.AmericasFarmers.com to learn more. And, from now through April 1st, farmers in eligible counties can nominate their local school district to compete for an America’s Farmers Grow Rural Education grant ranging from $10,000 to as much as $25,000. This year, the program will be awarding $2.3 million for math and science curriculum enhancement. Learn more about it at www.GrowRuralEducation.com.