Farmers know that education is the cornerstone of any successful community. Monsanto has designated grant funds to help School Districts in agricultural areas improve math and science education.

Farmers in Jackson and Palm Beach County, Florida, have the opportunity to improve education in their rural communities. Through America’s Farmers Grow Rural Education℠, sponsored by the Monsanto Fund, eligible farmers can nominate their school district to compete for a merit-based grant of either $10,000 or $25,000. The program is part of the commitment by the Monsanto Fund to invest in farm communities, to highlight the important contributions farmers make to our society.

Once a farmer has nominated a school district, the Monsanto Fund will notify the administrator that the district can submit a grant application. Winning grant applications will be chosen by a group of 26 farmer leaders from across the country. Grants will be awarded based on merit, need and community support. The more farmers to nominate a school district, the more it demonstrates community support and strengthens their application. One nomination is allowed per farmer. School districts and nominating farmers will be notified by September 30, 2012 regarding which school districts have been awarded grants.

Nominations must come from Jackson County Farmers, age 21 and over, who are actively engaged in farming a minimum of 250 acres of corn, cotton, and/or soybeans; or 40 acres of open field vegetables; or at least 10 acres of tomatoes, peppers and/or cucumbers grown in protected culture. The deadline to nominate the Jackson County School District is April 15, 2012. The nomination is a very simple, online application at GrowRuralEducation.com, or you can also make your nomination by phone at
877-267-3332. The School District must do all of the grant application work, but they cannot apply until farmers from Jackson County have nominated them.

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