By Julie Tomascik
Editor
Texas farmers and ranchers have the opportunity to donate funds to a local nonprofit of their choice through the America’s Farmers Grow Communities program.
The national program, sponsored by the Bayer Fund, awards the donations to eligible nonprofits with a focus on community to help them grow and develop by investing in their missions.
For 2022, Bayer Fund will double the individual donations to $5,000, up from $2,500 in previous years.
“The decision to double the donation amounts was made because we saw a greater need in rural communities,” Erin Glarner, Bayer’s Community Outreach manager, said. “That’s why we partner with farmers and ranchers to help strengthen and grow rural communities.”
Through Nov. 1, farmers can enter the program for the chance to direct the donation to a local nonprofit, school or agricultural program.
Examples of nonprofit organizations that are eligible include food banks, emergency response organizations, community enrichment, STEM programs and youth agricultural programs, among many others.
Thirty grants will be awarded in Texas.
“This is an initiative that we have in place, because we want to partner with our farmers and growers to really strengthen rural communities,” Glarner told the Texas Farm Bureau Radio Network. “A lot of times we see that rural communities might not have access to certain resources as other communities do. So, we want to ensure that they have the same opportunities and really focus on strengthening schools and youth through the FFA and 4-H clubs.”
The America’s Farmers initiatives have awarded more than $60 million to thousands of schools and nonprofit organizations. Several Texas communities have benefited from the national Grow Communities program.
Borden County 4-H, Denver City FFA, Calhoun County’s Harvest Kitchen and the Turkey Volunteer Fire Department are just a few of the nonprofits that have received awards from the program.
Farmers must be at least 21-years-old and actively engaged in farming at least 250 acres of any crop.
Farmers can enroll in the program online at www.americasfarmers.com/enroll-now.
The winners of the Bayer Fund’s America’s Farmers Grow Communities program donations will be announced January 2022.
For more information on the program, visit www.americasfarmers.com or call 1.877.267.3332.