Australia
November 17, 2015
The Monsanto Fund, in partnership with the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal, are delighted to announce the 2015 recipients of the Aussie Cotton Farmers Grow Communities program.
The program gives cotton growers the chance to direct thirty $5,000 grants to worthy community groups across 14 cotton growing areas in New South Wales and Queensland. The announcement of the 2015 recipients means $300,000 of funding will have been directed to cotton growing communities in two years.
FRRR Acting Chief Executive Officer, Natalie Egleton, said cotton farmers living and working in rural and regional communities are best-placed to determine the groups and projects that can benefit from support like this the most.
“Cotton farmers have the best insight into who in their community could benefit from a grant and they are able to show their support for those groups and their work by nominating them.
“We were delighted to see cotton growers enthusiastically support the program again this year and nominate some fantastic projects that may never have gone ahead if not for this program. We saw last year that when projects funded by Aussie Cotton Farmers Grow Communities are completed, local organisations are better able to do what they do best - focus on providing and supporting the wider community with their vital services,” Ms Egleton said.
Cotton Australia Chief Executive Adam Kay said Aussie Cotton Farmers Grow Communities has the support of the cotton industry and the additional $150,000 in funding will go a long way in improving lives in cotton communities.
“These grants allow cotton farmers to give back to their communities and leave a lasting impact.
“Strong, vibrant cotton communities play a critical role in how successful our farmers are. This program is a great way for growers to say thanks to those groups or charities that are important to the community and be recognised for their hard work in a meaningful way,” Mr Kay said.
Monsanto Fund representative in Australia, Adam Blight, said that the Monsanto Fund is pleased to be able to support growers to give back to their communities for a second year.
“This year, the Aussie Cotton Farmers Grow Communities program will be able to help build 11 infrastructure projects, fund five community education projects and support 11 disability, youth, health, social welfare, community broadcasting, environment and cultural projects across Queensland and New South Wales,” Mr Blight said.
Overall, infrastructure-related projects received the most funding this year with $55,000 to be distributed throughout cotton growing areas including the Central Highlands, Darling Downs, Macquarie and the Southern Valleys. Education projects received the second most funding with $40,000 aimed at improving local resources and equipment for children and local schools.
A full list of funded projects and grant recipients is attached. For more information please visit www.aussiecottonfarmers.com.au or www.frrr.org.au.
About The Monsanto Fund
The Monsanto Fund, the philanthropic arm of the Monsanto Company, is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to strengthening the communities where farmers and Monsanto Company employees live and work (www.monsantofund.org).
About FRRR
FRRR is a not-for-profit organisation that harnesses the power of collective investment between government, business and philanthropy to improve the lives of those living in rural, regional and remote Australia (www.frrr.org.au).
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