amercasfarmersmonsantoTHUMBCourtenay (CSi) The Courtenay Rural Fire Protection has received a $2,500 donation from Stutsman County farmer Steven Somsen and America’s Farmers Grow Communities, sponsored by the Monsanto Fund. The donation will help the organization purchase a new grain bin rescue system, which is used to retrieve people trapped in grain bins.

Somsen, who is also the fire chief says, “We have purchased a new grain bin rescue system and have taken the training on how to properly use it. All four of the local fire departments in the area have purchased a set and went through the training after an accident near Kensal, ast year.”

According to Farm Progress, there have been over 900 cases of grain engulfment over the last 50 years, with 62% of them ending in fatality. Last year (2014) was a record year for grain engulfment deaths across the nation.

For five years, America’s Farmers Grow Communities has collaborated with farmers to donate over $16.5 million to over 7,300 community organizations across rural America. This year winning farmers will direct another $3.3 million to nonprofits to help fight rural hunger, purchase life saving fire and EMS equipment, support ag youth leadership programs, buy much needed classroom resources, and so much more.

America’s Farmers Grow Communities is part of the America’s Farmers initiative. Since 2010, the America’s Farmers campaign and programs have advocated on behalf of farmers and their efforts to meet society’s needs through agriculture.

Today, consumers are more interested than ever in agriculture and how food is grown. Consider joining the conversation and helping to raise awareness about agriculture. Learn more at FoodDialogues.com.

A sister program in the America’s Farmers effort, Grow Rural Education, is currently in its farmer nomination phase. Farmers interested in supporting math and science education in their communities should visit www.

GrowRuralEducation.com from now through April 1 to learn how.