School, fire departments receive grants

A local school and three Nodaway County volunteer fire departments will share a total of $12,200 in grant funds offered through Monsanto, one of the nation's leading agricultural biotechnology companies.

The grants, provided by Fontanelle Hybrids Offering Communities Understanding Support (FOCUS), have been awarded to the Jefferson C-123 School District physical education department ($1,000); the Tri-C Fire Protection District ($2,500); the Polk Township Fire Protection District ($3,700); and the Jackson Township Fire Protection District ($5,000).

Fontanelle is a Monsanto-owned seed brand.

Similar awards were made in Andrew County and will benefit the Cosby/Helena Fire Protection District ($2,500) and the North Andrew R-VI Elementary School ($4,900). The Holt County Historical Society also received $1,000 through the program.

This year, FOCUS awarded a total of $250,000 to community organizations in Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas and Wyoming. Of that amount, $31,100 was distributed to nonprofit entities scattered across six northwest Missouri counties.

According to Ron Slayden, central area district sales manager at Fontanelle Hybrids, FOCUS grants are commonly awarded to schools, park boards, FFA chapters and other organizations.

Applications for the 2013 round of grants are due Dec. 15. To apply online, go to www.fontanelle.com/util/resources/community-focus-grant-application.