Local farmer selects Crossroads House to receive Monsanto Fund donation

Press release:

The Crossroads House has received a $2,500 donation from Genesee County’s Harkins Dairy Farm and America’s Farmers Grow Communities, sponsored by the Monsanto Fund. The donation will help the organization cover operational costs.

The mission of the house is to make the final days of their residents as comfortable, respectful and dignified as possible. Crossroads House is a two-bed comfort care home that provides 24-hour care to residents in the county who have been diagnosed with a terminal illness and who have three months or less to live.

“Our organizational motto is ‘a gift to the community made possible by the community,’ ” said Director Jeff Allen. “Family farms such as the Harkins Dairy are integral community partners. When the community gives, it allows us to give back through our services.”

For five years, America’s Farmers Grow Communities has collaborated with farmers to donate more than $16.5 million to more than 7,300 community organizations across rural America. This year winning farmers will direct another $3.3 million to nonprofits to help fight rural hunger, purchase life-saving fire and EMS equipment, support ag youth leadership programs, buy much needed classroom resources, and so much more.

America’s Farmers Grow Communities is part of the America’s Farmers initiative. Since 2010, the America’s Farmers campaign and programs have advocated on behalf of farmers and their efforts to meet society’s needs through agriculture. Today, consumers are more interested than ever in agriculture and how food is grown. Consider joining the conversation and helping to raise awareness about agriculture. Learn more at FoodDialogues.com.

A sister program in the America’s Farmers effort, Grow Rural Education, is currently in its farmer nomination phase. Farmers interested in supporting math and science education in their communities should visit www.GrowRuralEducation.com from now through April 1 to learn how.

Photo: Jenny Harkins (winning farmer), Nate Holt (Monsanto Rep), Jeff Allen (Crossroads House, executive director) and Helen Whaley (Crossroads House volunteer).