By CELESTE BAUMGARTNER
Ohio Correspondent

MORGAN TOWNSHIP, Ohio — As a recipient of Monsanto Co.’s American Farmers Grow Communities program, Dave Lierer was able to donate $2,500 to Butler County’s 4-H committee in Ohio. Lierer was one of many winners throughout the United States who were randomly selected to help Monsanto distribute for charity.

“The Monsanto fund chose to give money back to rural communities,” said Janelle Brinksneader, territory sales manager for Monsanto. “Since we are a 100 percent agriculture company, farmers spending money with Monsanto is what allows Monsanto to stay in business. Also, for every person that enrolled, Monsanto gave a dollar to the United Way.”

Beginning last July, farmers in rural counties throughout the U.S., whether or not they use Monsanto products, could sign up online for the project. In January one farmer from each county was randomly selected.

Over the next couple of months those farmers will be presented with oversized ceremonial checks for $2500 to be donated to the nonprofit organization of each farmer’s choice. The oversized checks are so big they barely fit in the back of Brinksneader’s pickup truck, she said.

“That’s kind of fun, to get that huge check, and then we mail the real check,” she added. “The 4-H kids think that the big check is so neat.”

Winners have selected a variety of recipients, including volunteer fire departments, 4-H chapters, FFA chapters, hospice, food pantries – whatever is near and dear to the farmer’s heart, Brinksneader said.

Her entire family was entered in the contest, Gail Lierer said, including sons David and Michael and daughter Christa – but Dave was selected as a winner. The family farms about 550 acres in Butler County.

“We gave it to the 4-H committee of Butler County because all of our family went through the 4-H program and what we’ve learned from it and what the kids have learned from it, it’s a great program,” said Lierer.

“The 4-H committee is going to donate it to the fair board for the new building on the fairgrounds. We’re hoping that the 4-H committee matches the funds, so we should be able to give them $5,000. It’s a good deal.”

The next signup for the Monsanto program will be Aug. 1-Dec. 31, 2011. Eligible farmers must live or farm in an eligible county, be 21 years or older and be actively engaged in farming. No purchase is necessary. Winners are randomly selected by a third party.

For information, visit www.growcommunities.com or call 877-267-3332.