(AREA) — Several farmers in the Thumb have received a $2,500 donation from America’s Farmers Grow Communities, sponsored by the Monsanto Fund. The program, which launched in 2010, allows farmers to enter to win and direct the money toward a nonprofit organization in their community. More than 1,300 rural community nonprofits in 40 states from local FFA chapters and 4-H clubs, fire departments, community centers, food pantries, and schools are reaping the benefits of the $2,500 awards. Local winners include Luke Prowse of Brown City, Brian Hacker of Ubly, Dean Kuhl of Sebewaing, Mark Shiefer of Vassar, and Bonnie Brendel of North Branch. Grow Communities is one program in the America’s Farmers community outreach effort, sponsored by the Monsanto Fund. Other programs include America’s Farmers Grow Ag Leaders, which encourages rural youth to remain in agriculture and provides $1,500 college scholarships to high school and college students pursuing ag-related degrees and America’s Farmers Grow Rural Education, which works with farmers to nominate rural school districts to compete for $10,000 and $25,000 math and science grants.
