Monsanto Fund impacting rural communities.

Indiana Farmers Can Make an Impact in their Community in More Ways than One. Have you ever wanted to be the local hero in your community? Would you like to show everyone how much your town means to you? The Monsanto Fund wants to help you make an impact in Rural America. Indiana farmers in 83 counties have the opportunity to win $2,500 for their favorite nonprofit organization. The donations are available through the Monsanto Fund’s America’s Farmers Grow Communities SM program.The program’s first two pilots provided nearly $1.2 million to farmers in 10 states with $2,500 donations going to a farmer’s favorite nonprofit. The second pilot alone benefited 298 organizations, with 35 percent of the awards going to agriculture youth groups; 24 percent directed toward community organizations such as food banks; and 15 percent donated to various educational programs. With the success of the first two pilots, the program has expanded and now expects to contribute more than $3 million in more than 1,200 counties across 38 states. You might be asking, “What can $2,500 do for my community?” According to previous winners, the answer is,“Plenty!” Click on the link below for a closer look into the many ways $2,500 can help your community. http://www.monsanto.com/americasfarmers/Pages/grow-communities.aspx The America’s Farmers Grow Communities program benefits nonprofit community groups such as youth organizations, schools and other civic groups important to America’s farmers. Farmers can apply online at http://www.growcommunities.com/, or they can call 1.877.267.3332 to apply by phone. Farmers, age 21 and over, who are actively engaged in farming a minimum of 250 acres of corn, soybeans and/or cotton, or 40 acres of open field vegetables, or at least 10 acres of tomatoes, peppers and/or cucumbers grown in protected culture are eligible. Farmers can enter now through Dec. 31, 2010. The program is open to all qualifying farmers, and no purchase is necessary in order to enter or win. The Monsanto Fund will randomly draw one winner from each of the participating counties, and announce winning farmers and recipient organizations by February 2011.