AHOSKIE – Each year, the America’s Farmers Grow Communities program partners with local farmers to provide grants to local nonprofits.

Grow Communities, which is sponsored by the Monsanto Fund, provides farmers the opportunity to support and give back to nonprofit organizations they care about in their local communities by enrolling for a chance to direct a $2,500 donation to a nonprofit of their choice.

Recently, Ridgecroft School of Ahoskie was the beneficiary of two such donations from local farm families.

Northampton County farmers David and Tonya Baker, along with Hertford County farmer Tim Newsome and his family each directed a $2,500 grant to Ridgecroft as part of the Americas Farmers Grow Communities program.

In keeping with Ridgecroft’s mission, the funds will be used to benefit technology and the fine arts.

“On behalf of Ridgecroft School, I would like to thank the

Newsome and Baker families for designating these grants. Ridgecroft is the longest serving SACS accredited independent school in eastern North Carolina. Gifts such as these from the Newsomes and the Bakers help Ridgecroft remain the premier independent school in the area,” said Peg McLean, Ridgecroft’s Director of Development.

Since the program began in 2010, the Grow Communities program has partnered with farmers to support nonprofit organizations important to them in their local communities. The program has given more than $29 million to farming communities since its inception, including more than $3 million in 2018.

“Farmers play a pivotal role in rural communities, and through their commitment to the Grow Communities program, we are able to provide the monetary support these nonprofit organizations need to make an impact,” said Al Mitchell, Monsanto Fund president. “We’re proud to play a part in helping these rural communities grow and thrive.”

You learn more about the Grow Communities program by checking out Facebook.com/AmericasFarmers.