For Hub City Times

AUBURNDALE — Wood County farmer Deborah Bulgrin recently won the opportunity to direct a $2,500 donation from the America’s Farmers Grow Communities program, sponsored by the Monsanto Fund, to a nonprofit organization of her choice. Bulgrin selected the Auburndale FFA chapter.

The Auburndale FFA will use the donation to enhance the new school forest shelter north of the high school by installing a large outdoor fire pit area that will allow for school and community bonfire functions as well as outdoor education teaching areas.

“Being designated by the Bulgrin Family is quite an honor. We are privileged to be a recipient of this grant. We are happy to use this grant to fund a community campfire area at our new school forest learning center,” said Mark Cournoyer, Auburndale FFA advisor and agriscience instructor.

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. 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.

“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 GrowCommunities.com.