BEEVILLE — When Tynan farmer Thomas Mengers learned that he had won a $2,500 award from the Monsanto Fund to donate to the charity of his choice, he knew in an instant he wanted the money to go to the Tynan Volunteer Fire Department.

Mengers is the department’s chief and he and his follow firefighters need another fire truck in that part of the county.

The Monsanto program, “America’s Farmers Grow Communities,” provides $3.1 million for farmers in 1,245 counties across 39 states.

This year Mengers was one of the lucky ones to receive a check for $2,500.

Danny Gonzales, who was representing Monsanto at a brief ceremony at the C.M. “Smitty” Smith Central Fire Station in Beeville, said this was the second year for the company to offer the rewards to top farmers.

He said each farmer in the 1,245 counties may register to win.

“It’s fantastic and I think it’s neat to share some of the profits,” Mengers said as he and other fire chiefs from Bee County met to see the farmer accept a giant check.

The purpose of the program is to recognize the vital role that American’s farmers play and to help them grow their communities by supporting a local organization that is important to them.

Winners are required to donate the money to a charity that means something to them. Often, the funds are passed on to agricultural youth groups such as the Future Farmers of America, 4-H Clubs, fire departments, schools and civic organizations.

Nearly 60,000 farmers across the nation took part in the program this year and one farmer from each county was selected to receive the money.

Gary Kent is a reporter at the Bee-Picayune and can be reached at 358-2550, ext. 120, or at reporter@mySouTex.com.