Last call to nominate schools for grants through America's Farmers Grow Rural Education

Nominate public school districts for a grant up to $25,000

[March 17, 2014]  ST. LOUIS — The deadline is fast approaching for farmers to nominate rural public school districts to compete for a grant of up to $25,000 through America's Farmers Grow Rural Education, sponsored by the Monsanto Fund. Nominations will be accepted until April 6. Eligible farmers can nominate their school district by visiting www.growruraleducation.com or by calling 1-877-267-3332.

Grants are awarded based on merit, need and community support. The more farmers who nominate a school district, the more it demonstrates community support and can strengthen the school district's application.

This year, the program has expanded to 18 new counties, for a total of 1,289 eligible counties across 39 states.

School administrators in nominated districts will have until April 21 to submit their applications online. The application website is also equipped to help answer specific questions about the Grow Rural Education program overall and assist with the grant writing process.

"As we work to grow our next generation of farmers, building a strong math and science foundation is vital," said Linda Arnold, Monsanto customer advocacy lead. "Working together with farmers and rural school districts, we are building relationships that benefit the community, with the ultimate goal of improving education."

The America's Farmers Grow Rural Education Advisory Council, a group of approximately 30 farmers from across the country, will review and select the winning grant applications. Advisory council members were selected based on their passion for farming and education, as well as experience in rural school districts.

Last year, more than 73,000 farmers nominated 4,024 school districts, resulting in $2.3 million in grants to improve math and science education in 181 districts across the country.

The America's Farmers Grow Rural Education program is part of a broad commitment by the Monsanto Fund to strengthen farming communities. The program launched in 2012, after a successful pilot in Minnesota and Illinois, and has since awarded nearly $5 million to school districts across the county.

For more information about the America's Farmers Grow Rural Education program and to view the official rules, a list of eligible states, counties and crop reporting districts, visit www.growruraleducation.com.

The America's Farmers campaign is an advocacy and community outreach program celebrating U.S. farmers through communications, awards and special programs that highlight the importance of modern American agriculture.

America's Farmers initiatives include:

• America's Farmers Grow Communities, which supports rural communities by offering farmers the chance to win $2,500 for their favorite local nonprofit organization.

• America's Farmers Grow Rural Education, which supports rural education by offering farmers the chance to nominate local school districts, which can compete for a $10,000 or $25,000 merit-based grant to enhance math and science education.

• America's Farmers Mom of the Year, which celebrates women in agriculture by offering the chance to win up to $10,000 and the title of "National Farm Mom of the Year."

• America's Farmers Grow Ag Leaders, which launched this year in Alabama, Georgia, Indiana, Nebraska, North Carolina and South Carolina and aims to encourage the next generation to remain involved in agriculture by offering students the chance to apply for a $1,500 scholarship.

To learn more, visit America's Farmers at www.americasfarmers.com.

[Text from file received from the Monsanto Fund]

The Monsanto Fund, the philanthropic arm of the Monsanto Co., is a nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening the farm communities where farmers and Monsanto employees live and work. Visit the Monsanto Fund at www.monsantofund.org.