Pekin, Cardinal schools finalists for grants

The Monsanto Fund has announced this year?s America?s Farmers Grow Rural Education finalists includes the Pekin and Cardinal community school districts.

Nominated school districts from across the country submitted completed grant applications by April 30. For the past month, a panel of educators reviewed applications and sent the strongest submissions for consideration by the America?s Farmers Grow Rural Education Advisory Council.

The advisory council, comprised of farmer-leaders with a vested interest in both agriculture and education, will select the winning grant applications from this pool of finalists.

The finalists are in the running for grants of up to $25,000.

America?s Farmers Grow Rural Education helps farmers strengthen math and science education in local rural school districts.

Currently in its second year, the program is part of the Monsanto Fund?s overall effort to support rural education and communities. America?s Farmers Grow Communities, which gives winning farmers the opportunity to direct a $2,500 donation to a nonprofit organization in their county, also is part of this effort.

To date, the programs combined have contributed more than $15 million to rural communities.

To learn about America?s Farmers Grow Rural Education or America?s Farmers Grow Communities, visit http://americasfarmers.com.