America's Farmers Grow Rural Community Grant

Cumberland Valley FFA has received a $2,500 donation from America’s Farmers Grow Communities, sponsored by the Monsanto Fund and directed by local farmer Ron Stover of Carlisle, Cumberland County. The donation will help the organization upgrade classroom technology for Agriculture Education students and FFA members to utilize while preparing for large agricultural advocacy events, such as Agventure Day and Ag in the Valley. New technology will aid in effectively developing FFA members’ skills in Agricultural Communications.

“I hope this donation will help the FFA chapter continue to develop leaders in agriculture and learn about the need for promoting agriculture within our community,” said Stover. This is the second Growing Communities Grant that Stover has directed to the Cumberland Valley FFA chapter.

Cumberland Valley FFA is one of the largest student organizations at Cumberland Valley High School boasting 175 members from grades 9-12. The chapter conducts numerous FFA events throughout the year that develop a student’s potential for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success. “We are very fortunate to have received this farmer-directed donation to obtain new technology to continue learning about the need for agricultural advocacy. The chapter thanks the Stover family for thinking of our organization,” said Alicia Gates, chapter President.

For six years, America’s Farmers Grow Communities has collaborated with farmers to donate over $22 million to more than 8,000 community organizations across rural America. Winning farmers will direct donations to nonprofits to help fight rural hunger, purchase life saving fire and EMS equipment, support ag youth leadership programs, buy much needed classroom resources, and so much more.

School board member Barb Geistwhite (left) and Ag Advisory Board Member
Nancy Griffie (right) pose with members of the Cumberland Valley FFA
Officer Team after receiving the check from Monsanto on February 21, 2016.
Chaplain Emiliann Goodhart, Treasurer Anna Pauletta, President Alicia Gates, and
Vice-President Mackenzie Yorlets hold the $2,500 donation which will be used to
purchase Ipads for the Agriculture Department.

America’s Farmers Grow Communities partners with farmers to support local nonprofit causes that positively impact farming communities across rural America. Grow Communities is one program in the America’s Farmers community outreach effort, sponsored by the Monsanto Fund. Other programs include America’s Farmers Grow Ag Leaders, which encourages rural youth to remain in agriculture and provides $1,500 college scholarships to high school and college students pursuing ag-related degrees and America’s Farmers Grow Rural Education, which works with farmers to nominate rural school districts to compete for $10,000 and $25,000 math and science grants. Visit www.AmericasFarmers.com to learn more.

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About the Monsanto Fund

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