America’s Farmers Grow Communities Monsanto Grant Awarded to Fitzgibbon

June 20, 2017

            Stapleton Family Farms in Saline County has won the opportunity to direct a $2,500 dollar donation from the America’s Farmers Grow Communities program, sponsored by the Monsanto Fund, to Fitzgibbon Hospital.

            Fitzgibbon Hospital will use the funds to provide education and certification opportunities for staff at the independent, not-for-profit community hospital serving a seven county area in West Central Missouri.

            “I have had a passion for over 20 years for Fitzgibbon Hospital. I believe in the healthcare of our community and want it to stay strong. We are so excited to be able to provide this grant through the America’s Farmers Grow Communities program that Monsanto has established,” said Jan Stapleton, owner of Stapleton Family Farms.

            “This grant from the Grow Communities program will enable us to help our staff obtain additional levels of knowledge which will directly impact our ability to provide quality patient care in a rural setting here in Marshall,” said Dr. Darin Haug, President and CEO of Fitzgibbon Hospital. “We are especially grateful for community partners like Jan Stapleton, who recognize the value of the mission of Fitzgibbon Hospital, to improve the health of our community.”

            The Grow Communities program’s purpose is to make a positive impact in farm communities by partnering with farmers to support the causes that are important to them in their communities. Each year, farmers enter for a chance to win a $2,500 donation that they direct to a local nonprofit.

            Since the program began in 2010, farmers have directed more than $26 million in donations across a broad cross-section of organizations that reflect the makeup and character of rural America, including food banks, emergency response organizations, schools, youth agriculture programs and many others.

            “Farmers have directed funds to more than 8,000 community organizations across rural America since Grow Communities began,” said Al Mitchell, Monsanto Fund president. “Farmers are truly committed to this program because they see the difference the donation makes in their community.”

            For more information or to see a complete list of the 2017 America’s Farmers Grow Communities recipients, visit www.GrowCommunities.com.