That small town sense of family comes from knowing your neighbors for generations, putting down community roots and taking pride in the neighborhood. Farmers in Le Mars, Iowa are helping develop a stronger sense of family with the help of a Grow Communities grant from America’s Farmers, sponsored by the Bayer Fund.
For the Love of Baseball
Wayne and Julie Beitelspacher enrolled for the Grow Communities program as a way to support the Le Mars community. When they won and thought about where to direct the $2,500 donation, the couple had just the nonprofit in mind.
“We have five grandchildren here in the Le Mars area, and four of them are all involved in the little league program,” Julie says.
The couple has always enjoyed watching their grandkids play various levels of little league baseball and says the program “does so much for the youth in our area.” The little league program is not only fun for children but helps attract and retain young families in Le Mars and is helping keep the town active.
This year’s donation came at the perfect time: the complex recently suffered from serious flooding in September and again in March. The Le Mars Little League plans to use the grant money to help fund new equipment and get the fields ready for the season.
A History with America’s Farmers
This was not the first time the Beitelspachers shared the benefits of America’s Farmers with their community.
In 10 years the couple has won the program a few times and have directed Grow Communities grants toward the Le Mars Educational Enhancement Project or LEEP, which helps support teachers and students in Le Mars, as well as to the Le Mars Backpack Program, which helps feed hungry children both in school and at their homes over weekends.
“We have so many wonderful non-profits in our area, that it is hard to choose one over the other,” Julie says.
Transforming Rural Communities
By simply filling out an application form, the Beitelspachers have positively impacted the city that they love.
For nearly a decade, the America’s Farmers programs have committed to helping farmers partner with ag students, schools and nonprofits in their rural community. Farmers have the ability to recognize where there is a need in their community and change the lives of those who most need it.
American farmers — if you would like to learn more about the Grow Communities program, check out the official rules for eligibility and entry period information. Enrollment for the Grow Communities program begins again August 1st.
