By CELESTE BAUMGARTNER Ohio Correspondent
REILY, Ohio — Farmers are able to give back to their rural communities through Monsanto Fund’s America’s Farmers Grow Communities. Dave Lierer, an Okeana, Ohio, grain farmer and one winner, donated $2,500 to the Reily Fire Department and EMS Auxiliary. “The America’s Farmers Grow Communities campaign, sponsored by the Monsanto Fund, is in its third year,” said Bill Bowers, district sales manager for Asgrow and DEKALB – who, with Lierer and his wife, Gail, presented the department its check. “It is our way of supporting the rural communities across the country. We realize our farmers play an important role in their local communities, and we like to support them by supporting the nonprofit charities of their choice.” The fund has given out $19.8 million since 2010, Bowers said. This year Monsanto representatives will present 1,400 checks in 40 states. The winning farmer can present the check to the nonprofit of their choice. “We chose the Reily Fire and EMS Department because they are very helpful in the community in doing demonstrations, and getting people involved,” Lierer explained. “They provide training for other fire departments in the community. We’re part of their community, so we thought they deserved to have it.” Reily Fire and EMS was designated Ohio’s Fire Department of the Year in 2014. Jennifer Hale, one of the 55 members of the auxiliary, said it was a great honor to receive the money. “We are going to buy personal protective gear for the fire and life squad personnel and possibly some grass-fire apparatus,” she reported. Lierer filled out an online form to win the award. He also won a few years ago and donated that money to the Butler County 4-H Building Fund. The Monsanto Fund has other oppor-tunities for farmers to win prizes, Bowers said. There is $25,000 for rural school districts, and the fund is still taking nominations for the Farm Mom of the Year. Four winners will be in the running for $10,000. Scholarships for agricultural leaders are available, as well For more, visit www.americasfarmers.com |
