MURFREESBORO – Local farmer Winborne Futrell has won the opportunity to direct a $2,500 donation from the America’s Farmers Grow Communities program, sponsored by the Monsanto Fund, to the Murfreesboro Fire Department.

The Murfreesboro Fire Department will use the funds to perform much-needed upgrades to its rescue boat.

“The Murfreesboro Fire Department greatly appreciates the grant awarded to us by Mr. Futrell. His act of kindness will enable our department to perform overdue upgrades to our boat, which will provide safer and more efficient water rescue operations for both our members and the citizens we serve., said Murfreesboro Fire Chief Bennett Daughtry.

The Grow Communities program’s purpose is to make a positive impact in farm communities by partnering with farmers to support the causes that are important to them in their communities. Each year, farmers enter for a chance to win a $2,500 donation that they direct to a local nonprofit.

Since the program began in 2010, farmers have directed more than $26 million in donations across a broad cross-section of organizations that reflect the makeup and character of rural America, including food banks, emergency response organizations, schools, youth agriculture programs and many others.

“Farmers have directed funds to more than 8,000 community organizations across rural America since Grow Communities began,” said Al Mitchell, Monsanto Fund president. “Farmers are truly committed to this program because they see the difference the donation makes in their community.”

For more information or to see a complete list of the 2017 America’s Farmers Grow Communities recipients, visit www.GrowCommunities.com.

The Monsanto Fund, the philanthropic arm of Monsanto Company, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening the communities where farmers and Monsanto Company employees live and work. Visit the Monsanto Fund at www.monsantofund.org.