Growing Rural America One Community at a Time

Growing Rural America One Community at a Time

I’m KayDee Gilkey with the Northwest Farm and Ranch Report.

There are many non-profit and civic groups making a difference in their rural communities. Interested in learning how to net these hard working community groups $2,500?

Well, the third annual America’s Farmers Grow Communities program allows farmers from eligible counties to enter to win $2,500 for their favorite community nonprofit organization, such as; 4-H, FFA, Schools, Fire Departments and other civic groups. One winner will be selected in each of the 1,271 eligible counties in 39 states.

Monsanto Fund President Deborah Patterson shares one of the new opportunities in this year’s program.

Patterson: “We have a new idea this year -- no pun intended -- It’s called Plant Your Idea and rural community members are being asked to get involved. They can go on growcommunities.com and tell the farmer about their organization or something they think needs to be done in their community. Then the farmers review their ideas and then consider them for a grant. If they win, they can consider them for a grant. We are excited about that innovation.”

Eligible Pacific Northwest counties include: Idaho’s Canyon, Gooding, Jerome, Minidoka and Twin Falls counties; Oregon’s Malheur and Morrow counties; and Washingon’s Benton, Franklin, Grant, Walla Walla, and Yakima. Go to growcommunities.com for more details. Deadline is November 30th.

I’m KayDee Gilkey with the Northwest Farm and Ranch Report on the Ag Information Network.