Invest an Acre Nebraska Launches at Nebraska State Fair

GRAND ISLAND, Neb., Sept. 3, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- In one of the nation's largest food-producing states, one out of every seven Nebraskans goes to bed hungry. To address this problem, the Howard G. Buffett Foundation announced a new initiative during an hour of dedicated programming by RFD-TV at the Nebraska State Fair this week. Through Invest an Acre Nebraska, farmers can donate a portion of their crop proceeds to help alleviate hunger in their communities. Those donations will be matched by Farm Credit Services of America (FCSAmerica) and Monsanto, with 100 percent of all contributions going to local food banks.

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Invest an Acre Nebraska is a new state-level extension of a national program created in 2012 by the Howard G. Buffett Foundation. Invest an Acre provides a simple process for donating crop proceeds:  farmers deliver their grain to the local elevator and designate a donation amount. Then, the elevator mails a check for that amount to Feeding America, the nation's leading food bank network, who distributes 100 percent of the donation, plus the matching funds from FCSAmerica and Monsanto, to the farmers' local food banks.

Howard G. Buffett, farmer and CEO of the Howard G. Buffett Foundation, stated, "Invest an Acre Nebraska provides farmers with an easy way to provide meals to hungry individuals in local communities across the state."  Buffett's goal is simple: he wants to "put hunger out of business in Nebraska."

In order to encourage grain elevators and cooperatives across Nebraska to join this effort, the Howard G. Buffett Foundation also announced a $500,000 Community Grants Program. Through this new initiative, grain elevators and cooperatives can compete for award money either by raising the most funds for Invest an Acre Nebraska or by being among the first to recruit 50 or more farmers to participate in Invest an Acre. The elevators that win the competition will be able to designate a grant to a local community organization.

Working in Partnership

At the Nebraska State Fair, FCSAmerica also announced a $100,000 commitment to match a portion of the donations to Invest an Acre Nebraska. FCSAmerica's senior vice president and chief administrative officer Ann Finkner stated, "we live in the most food-abundant nation in the world, yet 13 percent of our state's people do not have enough to eat or do not know from where their next meal will come. We are proud to take an active role by partnering with farmers to address hunger and nutrition concerns and give back to the rural life we value so highly. Their generosity will be increased through the matching donations."

Susan Ogborn, President and CEO of the Food Bank for the Heartland, said her organization is "grateful for the support we hope to receive from Nebraska farmers and the generous support of FCSAmerica and Monsanto for providing the matching funds.  With more than 252,000 people in Nebraska facing food insecurity, including nearly 95,000 children, a little bit goes a long way."

To get involved with Invest an Acre Nebraska, visit www.InvestAnAcre.org.

About the Howard G. Buffett Foundation and Invest an Acre
Established in 1999, the Howard G. Buffett Foundation (HGBF) is a private family foundation working to improve global food security. In 2012, it launched the Invest an Acre program to encourage farmers across the country to donate a portion of their crop proceeds to help fight hunger in their local communities. Learn more at www.HGBFoundation.org and www.InvestAnAcre.org.

About Farm Credit Services of America
Farm Credit Services of America is a customer-owned financial cooperative proud to finance the growth of rural America, including the special needs of young and beginning producers. With more than $19 billion in assets and more than $3 billion in members' equity, FCSAmerica is one of the region's leading providers of credit and insurance services to farmers, ranchers, agribusiness and rural residents in Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wyoming. Learn more at www.fcsamerica.com.

About Food Bank for the Heartland
Founded in 1981 and headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, Food Bank for the Heartland is a nonprofit organization that serves more than 325 food pantries, emergency shelters, after-school programs, senior housing sites and rehabilitation centers in our area.  They are the largest food bank in Nebraska and Iowa, encompassing 93 counties in the two-state regions. Learn more at www.FoodBankHeartland.org.

SOURCE The Howard G. Buffett Foundation