Farmers are making an impact through the Monsanto Fund's America's Farmers Grow Communities. From local FFA chapters and 4-H clubs to fire departments, community centers and schools, over 1,200 rural communities and their deserving organizations are reaping the benefits of the $2,500 awards.To further support counties that have been declared disaster areas by the USDA due to drought, winning farmers in these counties can choose where to direct an additional $2,500 donation based on community needs that surfaced because of the drought.

A big "Thank You" goes out to all farmers who applied, an a congratulations to the winners in the surrounding areas:

MINNESOTA

Ryan Visker, Bingham Lake
Cottonwood County
•Windom Volunteer Fire Department ($2,500)
• Windom Area Schools($2,500) 

Kathryn Christoffer, Round Lake
Jackson County
• Lakefield Immanuel Lutheran School ($2,500)
• Southwest Star Concept School ($2,500) 

Chad & Rebecca Moeller, Fairmont
Martin County
• Martin County Youth for Christ Center($2,500)
• Undecided Organization ($2,500) 

Terry York, Lake Wilson
Murray County
• Undecided organizations

Tom Feit, Rushmore
Nobles County
• Reading Community Center ($2,500)
• Wilmont Fire Department ($2,500) 

Rodney Altena, Pipestone
Pipestone County
• Edgerton Ambulance Association ($2,500)
• Pipestone Volunteer Fire Department ($2,500) 

Jamie Pap
Rock County
• Luverne Christian School Society ($5,000)

Gaye Winter, Canby
Yellow Medicine County
• Canby Post Prom ($2,500)
• Canby High School - English Department ($2,500) 

 

IOWA

Chris Olson, Linn Brove
Clay County
• Atlas of Spencer ($$5,00)

David Gonnerman, Spirit Lake
Dickinson County
• Lake Park Fire Department ($2,500)
• Undecided Organization ($2,500) 

Kim Rasmussen, Dolliver
Emmet County
• Echo Foundation, Inc ($2,500)
• Estherville Parks & Rec ($2,500) 

Todd Vandestouwe, Inwood
Lyon County
• Atlas of Lyon County ($2,500)
• City of Inwood ($2,500) 

Jolene Clark, Hartley
O'Brien County
• Hartley Fire Department ($2,500)
• Homes of Hope($2,500) 

Doug Holtz, Melvin
Osceola County
• Melvin Fire Department ($2,500)
• Melvin Ambulance Service ($2,500) 

Jim Kibbie, Emmestburg
Palo Alto County
• Emmetsburg FFA ($2,500)
• Palo Alto County Fair Association($2,500)