Monday, March 5, 2012 4:56 pm

GRAVES FFA GRATEFUL FOR MONSANTO GRANT – The Graves County High School FFA Chapter recently accepted a $2,500 check from the Monsanto Fund to support agriculture education. FFA officers pose here with others involved and the check. Graves County farmer Kevin Jones, far right, nominated the chapter for the grant because the students one day will be agriculture leaders.

John Lawson, second from right, serves as local territory sales manager for Monsanto. “Basically, what we want to do is recognize the importance that America’s farmers play. Not only do they feed the world and they’re so instrumental in the global economy, but what they do locally is so important. So, it’s a way for the Monsanto Fund to recognize people like Kevin, to highlight how important they are. There will be winners in 1,245 counties throughout the United States in 39 states. All thanks goes to Kevin. Pictured directly behind the check, from left, are GCHS ag teachers/FFA advisors Kelvin Howard and Richard Horn and Graves County Superintendent Pete Galloway. Howard said, “Anytime we can use Monsanto to benefit education, it is an honor. Mr. Horn and I are looking at some more lab equipment that we could use out here in the greenhouse to help further some science research and get these kids more interested in going into agriculture and the agronomy field because I think that is the biggest area out here for our students and they’ll make a bigger impact on their culture.”

(Photo by Paul Schaumburg, Graves County Schools)