Patricia Bryant directs Monsanto funds to FFA, firefighters

Gallatin County FFA and Omaha Fire Department will now be able to better serve the community thanks to the support of local farmer, Patricia Bryant, and America's Farmers Grow Communities.

Sponsored by the Monsanto Fund, the philanthropic arm of Monsanto Company, Grow Communities provides farmers in eligible counties the chance to win a $2,500 donation for a local nonprofit organization of their choice, according to a release from Monsanto. To further support counties declared natural disaster areas by the United States Department of Agriculture due to the drought this year, winning farmers in these counties are able to direct double donations, a total of $5,000.

Gallatin County was declared a disaster area by the USDA, giving Bryant the opportunity to choose two organizations to receive $2,500 donations. Bryant selected Gallatin County FFA and Omaha Fire Department.

"We plan to use the money to help rebuild three town parks in this county —Ridgway, Shawnee and Equality," said John Sutton, Gallatin FFA adviser, in a prepared release.

According to Sean Martin, Omaha Fire Chief, the donation will go toward purchasing new pagers.

"I'm so excited that I get to help two organizations in my community," Bryant said in the prepared release. "I know both could use the money, and I just appreciate the opportunity to help so much."

This year, the Monsanto Fund will invest nearly $6 million in rural America through Grow Communities, which includes double donations for counties impacted by the historic drought.

In Illinois, $480,000 is being given across 96 counties.

America's Farmers Grow Communities is sponsored by the Monsanto Fund to partner with farmers in helping them positively impact their communities. This program is part of the Monsanto Fund's overall effort to strengthen rural America.

For a complete list of Grow Communities winners and more program information, please visit growcommunities.com.