WALNUT — Bureau County Ag in the Classroom and Manlius Community Ambulance Service will now be able to better serve the community thanks to the support of local farmer, Alan Dale and America’s Farmers Grow Communities.

Sponsored by the Monsanto Fund, the philanthropic arm of Monsanto Co., Grow Communities provides farmers in eligible counties the chance to win a $2,500 donation for a local nonprofit organization of their choice. To further support counties declared natural disaster areas by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) due to drought this year, winning farmers in these counties are able to direct double donations, a total of $5,000.

Bureau County was declared a disaster area by the USDA, giving Dale the opportunity to choose two organizations to receive $2,500 donations. Dale selected the Bureau County Ag in the Classroom and Manlius Community Ambulance Service. Bureau County Ag in the Classroom will use the money toward the Ag in the Classroom program. The program allows Farm Bureau volunteers and an ag literacy coordinator to share informational lessons with students and consumers about where their food and fiber comes from.