Local Farmer Gives Back 05.04.10

A local farmer found a way to give back to retired farmers from the area.

Jerry Varenhorst, who farms about 6 miles west of Le Mars, entered a grant competition and was awarded $2,500 to donate to a local nonprofit organization.

He's choosing Good Samaritan Society-Le Mars, the nursing home in which his father and his aunt, retired farmers, live.

"The day we got the information in the mail, I couldn't think of anything other than Good Samaritan," Varenhorst said after a check presentation Thursday. "I want to do something to benefit retired farmers."

He now farms the land his father, Norman, farmed before him.

The grant comes through Monsanto's America's Farmers Grow Communities Projects. Monsanto is an agricultural biotechnology corporation.

Monsanto Territory Manager Doug Blezek, of Le Mars, handed the check to Good Samaritan Society-Le Mars Administrator Karen Mousel.

Monsanto leaders wanted to highlight the important contribution farmers make to communities, Blezek said.

One grant was awarded in each of Iowa's 99 counties, he said.

At Good Samaritan Society-Le Mars, the decision process is under way as to how to use the $2,500.

"The Varenhorst family and us will go over our wish list of things we need and want to help decide what the donation is used for," Mousel said. "Donations like this allows us as a not-for-profit organization to provide the extra things for our residents. We're very thankful."

Varenhorst had applied for the grant online several months ago and found out he was selected at the end of March.

More than 7,500 farmers across the U.S. have participated, Blezek said.

Now Monsanto plans to continue the America's Farmers Grow Communities Project another year, he said.

"The program has really been a huge success," Blezek said. "The money has gone to super causes."