Local farmer Charles Kauffman recently directed a $5,000 America's Farmers Grow Communities donation to The Parkesburg POINT youth center. According to Sarah Daniels, the POINT's director of grants and social media, the funding will be used for the nonprofit organization's nutrition program. The POINT feeds more than 650 at-risk youths and their families, providing more than 13,000 meals annually.

Since 2010, the America's Farmers programs, sponsored by the Bayer Fund, have awarded nearly $65 million to nonprofits, aspiring agriculture students and public schools across rural America. The Grow Communities program asks farmers across the country to participate by nominating nonprofit organizations, which then may receive resources to strengthen their local communities.

Last August, farmers entered for the chance to direct a $2,500 Grow Communities donation to a local eligible nonprofit of their choice. Farmers have directed donations to food banks, emergency response organizations, schools, youth agriculture programs and many other initiatives that support rural America.

To learn more, visit http://www.AmericasFarmers.com.