Putnam SWCD gets donation for educational workshops

Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Participating in a donation ceremony at Gosport are (from left) E.J. Dixon, Ceres Solutions representative; Jacob Lucas, son of winning farmer Dan; Dan Lucas; Putnam County SWCD Board Chairman Kerry Ames, and Tom Shelton, Monsanto representative.

GOSPORT -- Created in 1967, the Putnam County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) develops conservation programs and provides technical assistance to county residents and landowners to conserve and protect natural resources.

The Putnam County SWCD will now be able to continue to connect land users to sources of education and technical assistance thanks to America's Farmers Grow Communities.

Grow Communities gives farmers the opportunity to win $2,500 for their favorite local nonprofit organizations. Dan Lucas, a third-generation farmer, was the winner in Putnam County. He recognized the need for funding of services that have taken recent cuts and directed the donation to Putnam County SWCD.

"I chose Putnam County SWCD because of its dedication to the conservation of Putnam County's greatest resource, its rich soil and clean water," Lucas said. "Through the promotion of cover crops, to the testing of the county's well water sources, this organization provides a truly valuable resource of information to the ag producers as well as residents of the county."

Sue Crafton, Putnam SCWD executive director, was thrilled to receive the donation.

"Public outreach is a priority, and this will allow Putnam SWCD to continue offering educational and outreach programs through Cover Crop Field Day Events and Conservation Cropping Systems Workshops," she said. "It will also provide funds for presentation and display materials that support our conservation practices."

In a ceremony conducted June 26 at Gosport Community Center, Lucas got the chance to present Putnam County Soil and Water Conservation District with the $2,500 donation.

Through America's Farmers Grow Communities:

* Farmers in 1,245 eligible counties have the chance to win $2,500 for their favorite community nonprofit organizations.

* The Monsanto Fund has invested more than $3.1 million to rural communities this year alone.

* More than $207,500 in total has been donated to nonprofits in Indiana.

* A list of all winners and more information can be found at www.growcommunities.com.

"I think it is great that a Fortune 500 company is willing to invest in communities that are the backbone of America," Lucas said.

Grow Communities is part of a broad commitment by the Monsanto Fund to invest in farm communities such as Putnam County. It aims to highlight the important contributions farmers such as Lucas make every day to our society.

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