LAMOILLE – Bureau County farmer Glen Fobes won the opportunity to direct at $2,500 donation from the America’s Farmers Grow Communities program, sponsored by the Monsanto Fund, to the LaMoille FFA.

The FFA will use the funds to build raised garden beds, and along with members of the Restaurant Club, will plant and maintain the beds. In the fall, the students will work with the local food banks to help distribute the produce.

“This helps the chapter to give back to LaMoille and the people who support us,” said Ed Melendez, LaMoille FFA advisor.

The Grow Communities program’s purpose is to make a positive impact in farm communities by partnering with farmers to support causes that are important to them in their communities. Each year, farmers enter for a chance to win a $2,500 donation that they direct to a local nonprofit.

Since the program began in 2010, farmers have directed more than $26 million in donations across a broad cross-section of organizations that reflect the makeup and character of rural America, including food banks, emergency response organizations, schools, youth agriculture programs, and many others.

Farmers have directed funds to more than 8,000 community organizations across rural America since Grow Communities began,” said Al Mitchell, Monsanto Fund president. “Farmers are truly committed to this program because they see the difference the donation makes in their community.”

For more information or to see a complete list of the 2017 America’s Farmers Grow Communities recipients, visit www.GrowCommunities.com.