BERRIEN SPRINGS — William Donner, of Three Oaks, was lauded Monday night as a winner in America’s Farmers Grow Communities, sponsored by the Monsanto Fund.

Grow Communities gives farmers an opportunity to win a $2,500 donation to direct to their favorite local non-profit organization.

To further support counties declared disaster areas due to drought by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, winning farmers in these counties were able to double the donation — $5,000 — to further support the community.

Berrien County was declared a disaster area by the USDA, giving Donner the opportunity to place two $2,500 donations.

Donner selected Berrien County Youth Fair’s swine barn and River Valley Wranglers 4-H club.

“This never happens to me,” said Donner, who has two daughters involved in the Wranglers. “I’m kind of hoping the $2,500 will do a wash rack in the pig barn.”

At the check presentation in the Youth Memorial Building during the fair board meeting, Monsanto was represented by Wess Richey of Plymouth, Ind.

“I represent Indiana and Southwest Michigan,” including Cass, Berrien and St. Joseph counties, Richey said. “This is my first one in Michigan. Sixty thousand farmers participate in this in a year’s time. This is for communities. There is also one for high schools. I’ve been fortunate enough in my Indiana territory to have several high schools and FFA chapters win. Grow Rural Education contributes $10,000 to $15,000 back to a school. I highly recommend you participate. The Monsanto Fund tries to do what we can to give back to the community.”

In 1,271 eligible counties in 39 states, farmers could sign up for the opportunity to win a $2,500 donation for their favorite community nonprofit.

This year, the Monsanto Fund of St. Louis will invest more than $5 million in rural America through Grow Communities, including double donations for counties suffering from the historic drought.