Craley Community Fire Co.in Lower Windsor Township received $2,500 thanks to a local farmer.

Kenneth Rexroth won the grant through America's Farmers Grow Communities, a program that gives farmers the chance to win money to donate to a local nonprofit organization of their choice.

The fire department will use the donation to purchase equipment to better protect its trucks and volunteers, such as helmets, boots and a brush guard for the front of a fire truck.

"I thought it was great for the fire company," said Rexroth, 69. "I had a fire one time, and if it wouldn't have been for them, I would've lost three barns, but I only lost one and they saved the other two. They're a great outfit."

His wife, Sue McKinsey, 65, was actually the one who applied for the grant in the fall.

"I did it and didn't even tell him or ask him, because he doesn't like the publicity," McKinsey said. "He and the Craley fire department go back a long, long time. Ken's been farming since 1963, and the fire department has probably been there just as long. We have a very good working relationship with them."

The Rexroth farm has about 3,200 acres in Lower Windsor Township with about 750 head of cattle.

Monsanto: The grants are available through the Monsanto Fund, the philanthropic branch of the multi-national agricultural biotechnology company. Monsanto expects to invest $3.1 million in local communities through the program, according to a release announcing the Craley award.

Farmers who are Monsanto customers were eligible to apply.

Rexroth and Dan Gard, a Monsanto representative, presented the check to the fire company.

About 60,000 farmers in 39 states entered to win in the second annual America's Farmers Grow Communities.

Gard said about 1,262 grants were awarded, with the winner chosen through a random drawing for each county. He said that York County had about 50 applicants.

For more information visit www.growcommunities.com.

-- Reach Chelsea Shank at 505-5432 or cshank@yorkdispatch.com.