Posted: 03.15.2011

The Monsanto Foundation says more then 50,000 farmers nationwide have taken advantage of a program that grants up to $2,500 to community programs - selected by their local farmers.

Deb Patterson, President of the Monsanto Foundation, says they were very pleased to channel the philanthropic funds this way.  In an interview with Pam Jahnke, Patterson said they saw farmers dedicating money to their local agriculture groups - but also supporting community resources like their local fire departments, emergency rescue squads and libraries - to name just a few.

In Wisconsin, dozens of farmers requested the monies - which only required them to complete a brief survey.  There will be another application period open beginning August of 2011. 

Patterson says these Wisconsin farmers were selected through the "America's Farmers Grow Communities" program.  You can find out more about the program at
http://www.monsanto.com/americasfarmers/Pages/grow-communities-winners-map.aspx

Here are the Wisconsin farmers to thank!

• Joe Seis
  AdamsCounty
  Grand Marsh, WI
  Chosen Organization:
  Adams County Farm Bureau Foundation
  
   
• Andrew Mommsen
  BarronCounty
  Rice Lake, WI
  Chosen Organization:
  Benjamin's House Emergency Shelter
  
   
• Dennis Pennings
  BrownCounty
  Denmark, WI
  Chosen Organization:
  Denmark FFA
  
   
• Dan Senn
  BuffaloCounty
  Fountain City, WI
  Chosen Organization:
  Conchrane-Fountain City High School FFA
  
   
• Ron Schneider
  CalumetCounty
  Sherwood, WI
  Chosen Organization:
  St. John-Sacred Heart School
  
   
• Ken Bischel
  ChippewaCounty
  Bloomer, WI
  Chosen Organization:
  Bloomer High School FFA
  
   
• Larry Blasel
  ClarkCounty
  Dorchester, WI
  Chosen Organization:
  Humane Society of Clark County
  
   
• Jill Jones
  ColumbiaCounty
  Cambria, WI
  Chosen Organization:
  Welsh Prairie Livewires 4-H Club
  
   
• Al Wee
  CrawfordCounty
  Soldiers Grove, WI
  Chosen Organization:
  Gays Mills Food Pantry
  
   
• Helen Kahl
  DaneCounty
  Mt. Horeb, WI
  Chosen Organization:
  Blue Mounds Food Pantry
  
   
• Gregg Chapman
  DodgeCounty
  Oconomowoc, WI
  Chosen Organization:
  Ashippun Fire Department
  
   
• Mike Boesl
  DunnCounty
  Boyceville, WI
  Chosen Organization:
  Boyceville Public Library
  
   
• Leila Bernard
  Eau ClaireCounty
  Eau Claire, WI
  Chosen Organization:
  American Cancer Society Eau Claire Count
  
   
• Jay Retzer
  Fond Du LacCounty
  Fond Du Lac , WI
  Chosen Organization:
  Eden Fire Department
  
   
• Chad Bausch
  GrantCounty
  Glen Haven , WI
  Chosen Organization:
  Glen Haven Volunteer Fire Department
  
   
• Heidi Treuthardt
  GreenCounty
  Monroe, WI
  Chosen Organization:
  Green County Humane Society
  
   
• Michael Fox
  Green LakeCounty
  Markesan, WI
  Chosen Organization:
  Roy Creek Ramblers
  
   
• Becky Yelinek
  IowaCounty
  Livingston, WI
  Chosen Organization:
  Cobb Busy Badgers 4-H
  
   
• Richard Larson
  JacksonCounty
  Alma Center, WI
  Chosen Organization:
  Lincoln ACHM FFA Chapter
  
   
• Norman & Judy Eggert
  JeffersonCounty
  Waterloo, WI
  Chosen Organization:
  Waterloo Fire Department
  
   
• Collette Schultz
  JuneauCounty
  New Lisbon, WI
  Chosen Organization:
  New Lisbon School District-Give Organiza
  
   
• Keith Wilson
  KenoshaCounty
  Burlington, WI
  Chosen Organization:
  Wheatland Willing Workers 4-H Club
  
   
• Robert Baudhuin
  KewauneeCounty
  Casco, WI
  Chosen Organization:
  TBD
  
   
• Leon Pfaff
  La CrosseCounty
  Holmen, WI
  Chosen Organization:
  La Crosse Community Foundation William S
  
   
• Bill Smith
  LafayetteCounty
  Darlington, WI
  Chosen Organization:
  Darlington FFA
  
   
• Nic Schoenberger
  ManitowocCounty
  Kiel, WI
  Chosen Organization:
  St. Gregory's School
  
   
• Mark Suchon
  MarathonCounty
  Wittenberg, WI
  Chosen Organization:
  Galloway Community Center
  
   
• Wayne Staidl
  MarinetteCounty
  Peshtigo, WI
  Chosen Organization:
  Grover-Porterfield Fire Department
  
   
• Daniel Cummings
  MarquetteCounty
  Westfield, WI
  Chosen Organization:
  Westfield Elementary PTO
  
   
• William Wacker
  MonroeCounty
  Sparta, WI
  Chosen Organization:
  TBD
  
   
• Chris Engebretsen
  OcontoCounty
  Cecil, WI
  Chosen Organization:
  Gillett Area Ambulance Services
  
   
• Jon Schaumberg
  OutagamieCounty
  Seymour, WI
  Chosen Organization:
  Seymour FFA
  
   
• Joe Komisar
  PepinCounty
  Pepin, WI
  Chosen Organization:
  Pepin Food Pantry
  
   
• Tim Bates
  PierceCounty
  Elmwood, WI
  Chosen Organization:
  TBD
  
   
• Lee Carlson
  PolkCounty
  New Richmond, WI
  Chosen Organization:
  Osceola Public Library
  
   
• Roger Hetzel
  PortageCounty
  Almond, WI
  Chosen Organization:
  Operation Bootstrap
  
   
• Peter Schmeckel
  RacineCounty
  Union Grove, WI
  Chosen Organization:
  The Salvation Army
  
   
• Bill Troxel
  RichlandCounty
  Richland Center, WI
  Chosen Organization:
  Richland Community Food Pantry
  
   
• Dan & Lori Miller
  RockCounty
  Janesville , WI
  Chosen Organization:
  Evansville FFA Alumni Inc.
  
   
• Neal and Ellen Schoepp
  SaukCounty
  SAUK CITY, WI
  Chosen Organization:
  Sauk Prairie Area Food Pantry
  
   
• Mark Long
  ShawanoCounty
  Tigerton, WI
  Chosen Organization:
  Western Shawano County Relay for Life
  
   
• Mark Breunig
  SheboyganCounty
  Sheboygan Falls, WI
  Chosen Organization:
  TBD
  
   
• Matt Johnson
  St. CroixCounty
  Baldwin, WI
  Chosen Organization:
  The Friends of the St. Croix County Fair
  
   
• Steve Halleen
  St. CroixCounty
  New Richmond, WI
  Chosen Organization:
  Five Loaves Food Pantry
  
   
• Jim Schley
  TaylorCounty
  Gilman, WI
  Chosen Organization:
  Gilman Rural Fire Department
  
   
• Henry Schultz
  TrempealeauCounty
  Arcadia , WI
  Chosen Organization:
  Arcadia Food Pantry
  
   
• Todd Oppriecht
  VernonCounty
  Genoa, WI
  Chosen Organization:
  Genoa Harmony Fire Department
  
   
• Charles Weeks
  WalworthCounty
  Sharon, WI
  Chosen Organization:
  Sharon Main Street Association
  
  
   

« back to news articles