Staff writer
Money in agriculture is not always easy to come by, but rural Goessel farmer DeAlan Unrau got lucky recently and then shared his windfall with the Goessel Future Farmers of America chapter Friday at their annual banquet. He donated a check for $2,500 from Monsanto to the high school organization.
“All I did was sign up on their website,” Unrau said. “I’ve actually signed up a number of times, but this year got lucky and was selected.”
Winners, randomly selected from qualified farmers who sign up, are required to designate a charity for the award, and Unrau said he always knew where he would direct the money if he won.
“Goessel FFA has meant so much to me and my family through the years,” he said. “I was in FFA at Goessel, and both of my boys really benefited from the program when they were in high school. It really positioned them to be successful in the right ways and helped them get the jobs they have now.”
Unrau and his wife, Alma, farm more than 1,000 acres of wheat, corn, milo, and soybeans southeast of Goessel, and work with custom harvesting as well. Their two sons, Zane and Jared, both graduated from Goessel High School and Kansas State University and work as agricultural engineers for companies based in Salina and Manhattan.
“Zane was a state and national FFA proficiency award winner in crop production, and Jared won top proficiency awards in ag mechanization,” Unrau said. “I hope that more Goessel students will get the chance to experience the benefits of FFA because of this award.”
Monsanto is a large, multinational agricultural biotechnology corporation. It produces herbicides, genetically engineered seed, and bovine growth hormones. The company regularly donates money to schools and communities to raise public awareness of their mission to support farmers in the task of feeding the world.
Jeff Naysmith, representing Mid-Kansas Cooperative, a local feed dealer for Monsanto products took part in the Goessel FFA check donation ceremony, as did Roy Dare from Monsanto.
The FFA will use the $2,500 to maintain and repair machines in its shop.
“To teach at a winning organization is great,” Goessel FFA advisor Zana Manche said. “FFA makes a difference in kids’ lives and we want this donation to benefit the most students possible. This will ensure our equipment is up to date and increase what our kids can learn in the shop and make them more prepared as they leave.”