From Hyde County Schools

SWAN QUARTER — Hyde County farmer Phyllis Ballance won the opportunity to direct a $2,500 donation from the America’s Farmers Grow Communities program, sponsored by the Monsanto Fund, to the Mattamuskeet Elementary PBIS program.

Mattamuskeet Elementary will use the funds to help support the school’s efforts to encourage positive behavior in our students.

“We are just so overjoyed that Mrs. Ballance has chosen our school and PBIS program to receive this generous gift. We will be able to provide rewards and incentives to our students for their outstanding character and positive behavior,” said Kristi Gibbs, Mattamuskeet Elementary School counselor.

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.