Rural America is made of passionate people and organizations. Springfield Public School is one such organization, and the Redwood Falls Monsanto site nominated Springfield Public School for a $20,000 grant to honor that dedication to the betterment of agriculture and rural America.

Springfield Public School was presented a $20,000 check from the Monsanto Fund, the philanthropic arm of the Monsanto Company, at a presentation at Springfield Public School on Nov. 22. The school will utilize the grant to purchase and construct a new ag and science greenhouse.

“We are so honored to be the recipient of the Monsanto Fund grant,” said Keith Kottke, superintendent of Springfield Public School. “We are excited for the opportunity to expand our ag science programming options. This greenhouse will provide stimulating enrichment opportunities for our students across many groups within the school, including the FFA and the environmental student group.”

Dana Jacobs, Monsanto site lead, was also excited to play a part in the donation. “We are extremely excited Springfield Public School is receiving the Monsanto Fund grant for the greenhouse project,” Jacobs said. “It will provide a great hands-on opportunity for the students to learn about biology, agriculture and business.”

Jacobs first became interested in Springfield Public Schools when he and his family moved to Springfield three years ago. After gradually becoming aquainted with other families in the area and attending student events, Jacobs hopes to raise his daughters in the Springfield school district and become more involved with the school and community in the future.

“The teachers and students work very hard at maintaining a high level of academic excellence,” Jacobs said. “The greenhouse project will further challenge the students and turn textbook teaching into a real world experience on many levels.”

This grant is part of a broad commitment by the Monsanto Fund, which is focused on strengthening farming communities, as well as the communities where Monsanto’s employees live and work.