On Feb. 20, local residents Joey and Lisa Powell made a $2,500 donation to the Enterprise High School FFA and the Coffee County 4-H program through the agriculture chemical company Monsanto.
Monsanto sponsors American Farmers Grow Communities, a program that gives a local farmer a chance to decide the recipient of a $2,500 donation from the company.
The awards are only given to counties that make a substantial agricultural impact and Coffee County was one of only eight counties in Alabama to qualify.
This year, Monsanto doubled the usual donation of $2,500 because the USDA currently recognizes Coffee County as a disaster county as a result of more than two years of severe draught.
“When we found it was a disaster county, we made the decision to double the award,” said Monsanto District Sales Manager Rod Higdon.
The Powell’s then decided to split the award between the two student agricultural organizations in the county.
“We choose the FFA and 4-H because agriculture makes a $5 billion economic impact in the state every year,” Joey Powell said. “Through these organizations, maybe one of these students will pursue a career in the agriculture field.”
Joey Powell owns and operates Powell Farms and the Pea Patch Produce Market, which are both located just south of Enterprise.
He grows several vegetables, cotton and peanuts in addition to raising cattle.
Enterprise High School FFA President Ryan Wood said receiving the donation was very unexpected.
“We’ll probably use the money for traveling expenses and to fund some of our shop projects,” Wood said.
FFA instructor Alan Waters thanked Monsanto and the Powells for considering his organization.
“Monsanto is huge sponsor of FFA especially on the national level,” Waters said. “They recognize the future of agriculture, and it’s in students like these.”
Coincidentally, the donation fell on the Wednesday of National FFA week, which is Feb. 18-24.
“We’re happy to give back to a community that’s been so good to us,” Joey Powell said. “These are outstanding students and they make us proud.”
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