America's Farmers Grow Communities Project to Give $2,500 Awards in all 99 Iowa Counties

ST. LOUIS (Dec. 23, 2009) - Iowa farmers can kick off the new year by applying for an award to help a non-profit organization in their community that's dear to their heart.  The award is available through Monsanto's America's Farmers Grow Communities® Project, a new pilot program being offered throughout Iowa and in parts of Missouri and Arkansas.  Through the program, farmers can direct a $2,500 award to a local non-profit organization that's important to them and their community.

The program is intended to benefit non-profit community groups such as ag youth organizations, schools and other civic groups.  Farmers can apply online or request a copy of the official rules of the award program at www.growcommunities.com, by calling 1.877.267.3332 or by sending a self-addressed, stamped envelope to America's Farmers Grow Communities Project, 914 Spruce St., St. Louis, Mo. 63102. 

Farmers, age 21 and over, who are actively involved in producing a minimum of 250 acres of corn, soybeans and/or cotton are eligible.  The application period runs from Jan. 1 through Feb. 28, 2010.  The program is open to all qualifying farmers, and there is no purchase requirement.  In Iowa, one winner will be drawn from each of the state's 99 counties.  Monsanto will announce winning farmers and recipient organizations they chose in March 2010.

"Farmers in Iowa and across America work hard to feed, fuel and clothe our country and the world," said John Raines, Vice President of Customer Advocacy for Monsanto.  "As a company whose only business is agriculture, we want to work together with farmers to help them grow their local communities through the America's Farmers Grow Communities Project."

The pilot program is part of a broad commitment by Monsanto to highlight the important contributions farmers make every day to our society by reinvesting in their local communities.  The company also recently launched a national advertising campaign to build greater consumer awareness about the importance of U.S. agriculture, its economic impact and advances in preserving our vital natural resources. 

In addition, Monsanto, as one of the sponsors of America's Heartland, aired nationally on public television stations and RFD-TV, is helping educate consumers through first-person farm stories on the vital contributions of the American farmer. The program is in its fifth season. 

About Monsanto Company
Monsanto Company is a leading global provider of technology-based solutions and agricultural products that improve farm productivity and food quality. Monsanto remains focused on enabling both small-holder and large-scale farmers to produce more from their land while conserving more of our world's natural resources such as water and energy. To learn more about our business and our commitments, please visit
www.monsanto.com. Follow our business on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MonsantoCo, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MonsantoCo, or subscribe to our News Release RSS Feed.

###

Support the River Cities' Reader

Get 12 Reader issues mailed monthly for $48/year.

Old School Subscription for Your Support

Get the printed Reader edition mailed to you (or anyone you want) first-class for 12 months for $48.
$24 goes to postage and handling, $24 goes to keeping the doors open!

Click this link to Old School Subscribe now.



Help Keep the Reader Alive and Free Since '93!

 

"We're the River Cities' Reader, and we've kept the Quad Cities' only independently owned newspaper alive and free since 1993.

So please help the Reader keep going with your one-time, monthly, or annual support. With your financial support the Reader can continue providing uncensored, non-scripted, and independent journalism alongside the Quad Cities' area's most comprehensive cultural coverage." - Todd McGreevy, Publisher