Local farmer Charles Kauffman recently directed a $5,000 Bayer Fund America's Farmers Grow Communities donation to Parkesburg POINT Youth Center. The POINT will use the funds to support STEM programs for at-risk youths in the community.

In 2022, Bayer Fund revamped the America's Farmers Grow Communities program, making it easier for farmers across the country to find and fund the organizations and institutions that keep their communities thriving. The changes included doubling the individual donations to $5,000, up from $2,500 in previous years, to provide a greater impact to local rural communities.

For more than a decade, Grow Communities has partnered with farmers to direct funds to programs and organizations that contribute to the health and vibrancy of the farmers' communities. Recipients have included food banks, schools and youth agriculture programs. Since the America's Farmers programs began in 2010, the initiatives have awarded nearly $65 million to such programs.

Farmers can enroll now for the opportunity to direct a 2023 Grow Communities donation. To learn more, visit http://www.americasfarmers.com.