This content is sponsored by the Monsanto Fund’s America’s Farmers Community Outreach programs, but views and thoughts are my own.
If you haven’t read my previous post about my rural home town- I am proud to say I live in Alton, NH. My son was born and raised here and we are so glad we made the choice to live here. I can’t think of a better place to raise a family. WHY? There is nothing like living in a rural community- people are proud to live there and are willing to help you in any way they can. Small towns are amazing!
Reason #1: People living in small, rural towns are generous! In Alton, many parts of our town wouldn’t even exist without the generosity of the residents.
Take B & M RailRoad Park- A private property owner donated one of Alton’s circa late-1800s train stations to the town. Besides the two old railroad structures that are there, the park now also includes a walkway, a nature walk and a playground for toddlers.
The Alton Downtown Revitalization Committee (run by volunteers) stepped in to build handicapped-accessible ramps and platforms at the Alton B & M Railroad Park. The project includes construction of a walking path, a boardwalk through the wetlands, restoration of a historic railroad freight building and train caboose, as well as establishing areas for picnics and music concerts.
Reason #2- Small Town Residents Volunteer Their Time! I don’t think I have ever lived in a town that enjoyed keeping their town clean. Each spring, a local real estate office organizes a town-wide clean up day. They fuel the volunteers with coffee and donuts and then a yummy Seafood chowder when it’s done. Even the cub scouts get involved in the clean up day. My son and his troop did it every year.
Our local food pantry is run by volunteers. Many of those volunteers are high school students. In our town, the high school students have to have 30 or more community service hours completed to graduate. I love that our town teaches our kids how to give the gift of time.
Reason #3- Be local, Buy local, Support local! Each weekend in the summer, our town has a local farmer’s market. It’s such a popular event, it’s hard to find a place to park. So many people support our local small farmers, it keeps their farms prospering!
But, not all small towns in rural communities can continue to grow and prosper in today’s economy. That’s where America’s Farmers programs come in!
What is America’s Farmers?
The America’s Farmers programs, sponsored by The Monsanto Fund, put the farmer in the center of the story. In rural communities throughout America, farmers not only provide food and fuel, but they are also pivotal characters in their communities – often serving as the backbone of the areas in which they reside. Through the Grow Communities, Grow Rural Education and Grow Ag Leaders programs, The Monsanto Fund, with the help of local farmers, celebrates the accomplishments throughout communities with grants to help them continue to grow and thrive.
The Monsanto Fund celebrates these communities and invests to make them even more vibrant for future generations through America’s Farmers Community Outreach programs. A new campaign sponsored by the programs called My Town will continue this celebration of the people, places and stories that make small towns great.
Be sure to follow America’s Farmers on Social Media:
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Do you live in a small town? Let us know in the comments below.
