Time is running out to participate in the America’s Farmers Grow Communities project, which is designed to help farmers support their local non-profit youth agriculture and civic groups with a $2,500 award or the just announced $5,000 Double Donation award.  The county in Iowa with the highest percentage of farmer participation will also be awarded a bonus $2,500 for a total of $5,000 going to the farmer-chosen non-profit organization(s) in the winning county. February 28th is the last day farmers in all 99 Iowa counties can enroll for a chance to win a community organization donation. For more program information and to enroll, visit www.growcommunities.com.  Winners will be announced in March.

 “Although only farmers can submit an award application, we’re also encouraging eligible community organizations to approach farmers they know to ask to be entered,” said John Raines, Vice President of Customer Advocacy. “From looking at the entries coming in, we are impressed by the diversity of very worthwhile community groups that are important to Iowa farmers.”

Ag youth organizations, such as 4-H and FFA, account for many of farmer entries received to date. Other community groups also receiving a high number of entries include schools, libraries, fire departments and emergency medical services, economic development groups, hospitals and community centers. 

To participate, Iowa farmers must be age 21 and over and be actively engaged in farming a minimum of 250 acres of corn or soybeans. The application period runs through Feb. 28, 2010.  The program is open to all qualifying farmers, and there is no purchase requirement.

The America’s Farmers Grow Communities Project^SM enables farmers in all of Iowa and parts of Missouri and Arkansas to enter a local non-profit agricultural organization or other non-profit community group to win a donation. Monsanto Company, the program sponsor, will award one $2,500 donation in each Iowa county plus a bonus $2,500 to the one county in each of the three pilot program states (Iowa, Missouri and Arkansas) with the largest percentage of farmers enrolled in the project.

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.