Fair board receives $2,500 donation

The Highland County Agricultural Society received a $2,500 donation this week through a local farmer and America’s Farmers Grow Communities.

Charles Baldwin of Greenfield has been selected as a winner in America’s Farmers Grow CommunitiesSM, which gives farmers the opportunity to win $2,500 for their favorite local nonprofit organizations. The donations are available through the Monsanto Fund. Baldwin has designated the Highland County Agricultural Society, located in Hillsboro, to receive the award in Highland County.

Baldwin and the society received the funds on Tuesday evening at the Highland County Fair Grounds.

Davidson said that he was glad the funds were going toward to something positive for the kids in Highland County.

"They put in a lot of years here," Baldwin said, of the 4-H participants and the fair grounds. "This doesn't just help out one kid. Multiple kids are going to be held by this."

Highland County Fair Board President Dave Stratton said that the funds will go toward constructing a scale house in the tractor pull area.

"We will put it to good use," said fair board member Charles Davidson.

Baldwin said that 4-H kids, and those who grow up in the agriculture community get a head start in being successful.

"(The fair) is important to the youngsters," Baldwin said. "Ag kids have the advantage of growing up knowing how to work. They develop work ethics that stay with them, and help them in their careers. I feel very strongly about it."

In 1,245 eligible counties in 39 states, farmers could win $2,500 for their favorite community nonprofit, with the Monsanto Fund expecting to invest more than $3.1 million in local communities.