MURRAY — Clarke County has received a $2,500 donation from Clarke County farmer Betty Johnston and America’s Farmers Grow Communities, sponsored by the Monsanto Fund.
The donation will help fund hands on learning experiences that will apply science, math and communications to the agriculture industry.
According to Murray FFA Instructor Susannah Miller, “We are grateful to Betty Johnston for directing the America’s Farmers Grow Communities donation to our FFA, to help students not only gain technical knowledge but also leadership and teamwork skills that goes beyond the classroom.”
Murray FFA is celebrating their donation as a part of National FFA Week, which took place Feb. 21-28.
This year, farmers will direct more than $500,000 in donations to FFA chapters across the country as part of the Grow Communities program.
National FFA Week coincides with George Washington’s birthday Feb. 22 and highlights his legacy as a farmer.
More than half a million members nationwide are honoring National FFA Week through events, shining a bright spotlight on agricultural education and the impact FFA has on its members.
For five years, America’s Farmers Grow Communities has collaborated with farmers to donate more than $16.5 million to more than 7,300 community organizations across rural America.
This year, winning farmers will direct another $3.3 million 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.
America’s Farmers Grow Communities is part of the America’s Farmers initiative. Since 2010, the America’s Farmers campaign and programs have advocated on behalf of farmers and their efforts to meet society’s needs through agriculture.
Today, consumers are more interested than ever in agriculture and how food is grown. Consider joining the conversation and helping to raise awareness about agriculture. Learn more at FoodDialogues.com.
A sister program in the America's Farmers effort, Grow Rural Education, is currently in its farmer nomination phase. Farmers interested in supporting math and science education in their communities should visit www.GrowRuralEducation.com from now through April 1 to learn how.