Pictured from left David Fisher (Maple View Dairy), Patrick Ames (Extension), Jordan Fisher (Maple View Dairy), Jane Akins, Rachelle Romoda, and Ron Burke (all of BOCES).

CANTON – The Cornell Cooperative Extension of St. Lawrence County received a $2,500 donation from America’s Farmers Grow Communities, sponsored by the Monsanto Fund and directed by Jordan Fisher of Maple View Dairy in Madrid.

The donation is made in support of the Agricultural Studies Academy, a new St. Lawrence-Lewis BOCES program to be housed at the Extension Learning Farm beginning in the fall of 2016.

“The Academy will draw attention to agricultural careers and develop the next generation of farming professionals,” said Fisher, “The program is a great step forward for the future of agriculture in the North Country.” Extension will work with the BOCES and Fisher to determine how to best use the funds in support of the Academy.

The Academy is a one-year program open to incoming high school seniors and will offer a comprehensive introduction to agricultural sectors and related career fields. Students will earn credits toward a Regents diploma while completing an agricultural curriculum and earning post-secondary credits. Students will focus on career and college preparation, as well as hands-on field experience to gain job readiness.

“We greatly appreciate Jordan and Monsanto’s support of this exciting new program,” said Patrick Ames, Extension’s Executive Director, “Community support is critical for any new initiative, thus this donation means a lot to both Extension and BOCES.”

For six years, America’s Farmers Grow Communities has collaborated with farmers to donate over $22 million to more than 8,000 community organizations across rural America. Winning farmers will direct donations to nonprofits to help fight rural hunger, purchase life saving fire and EMS equipment, support ag youth leadership programs, buy much needed classroom resources, and so much more.

America’s Farmers Grow Communities partners with farmers to support local nonprofit causes that positively impact farming communities across rural America. Grow Communities is one program in the America’s Farmers community outreach effort, sponsored by the Monsanto Fund.

Other programs include America’s Farmers Grow Ag Leaders, which encourages rural youth to remain in agriculture and provides $1,500 college scholarships to high school and college students pursuing ag-related degrees and America’s Farmers Grow Rural Education, which works with farmers to nominate rural school districts to compete for $10,000 and $25,000 math and science grants.