The rural Wellsburg farm family of Terry and Rhonda Deters was selected for a $2,500 America’s Farmers Grow Communities grant, which they directed to the Grundy County Memorial Hospital Foundation for its 2017 Annual Campaign to expand the Specialty Clinic. From left, Terry and Rhonda Deters and GCMH Chief Financial Officer Lisa Zinkula. Each year, farmers enter the Monsanto Fund’s drawing for a chance to win a $2,500 donation that they direct to a local non-profit organization in their community. Photo submitted

GRUNDY CENTER Grundy County farmers Terry and Rhonda Deters won the opportunity to direct a $2,500 dollar donation from the America’s Farmers Grow Communities program, sponsored by the Monsanto Fund, to the Grundy County Memorial Hospital Foundation.

The hospital Foundation will use the funds for its 2017 Annual Campaign, which has a goal of raising $600,000 to support the hospital’s renovation and Specialty Clinic expansion project.

“We are appreciative of the America’s Farmers Grow Communities program and to Terry and Rhonda,” says Keely Harken, GCMH Foundation Development Manager. “Rural community members depend on the convenient access they receive to health care through the hospital. The Specialty Clinic expansion meets the need for more clinic space for visiting doctors and nurses and the local patients they see.”

“When I received the phone call that our entry had been selected, I didn’t have to think long to know that the grant should go to the hospital Foundation,” said Rhonda Deters. “We’re so grateful for the hospital’s work. Health care is important to everyone in the county, and we couldn’t be happier with the care that’s been provided to our family and friends.” The Deters raise corn and soybeans near Wellsburg.

The Grow Communities program’s purpose is to make a positive impact in farm communities by partnering with farmers to support the causes that are important to them in their communities. Each year, farmers enter for a chance to win a $2,500 donation that they direct to a local nonprofit.

Since the program began in 2010, farmers have directed more than $26 million in donations across a broad cross-section of organizations that reflect the makeup and character of rural America, including food banks, emergency response organizations, schools, youth agriculture programs and many others.

“Farmers have directed funds to more than 8,000 community organizations across rural America since Grow Communities began,” said Al Mitchell, Monsanto Fund president. “Farmers are truly committed to this program because they see the difference the donation makes in their community.”

For more information or to see a complete list of the 2017 America’s Farmers Grow Communities recipients, visit www.GrowCommunities.com.

About America’s Farmers

The America’s Farmers campaign highlights the importance of modern US Agriculture through communications and community outreach programs that partner with farmers to impact rural America. To learn more, visit America’s Farmers at www.AmericasFarmers.com.

About the Monsanto Fund

The Monsanto Fund, the philanthropic arm of 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.