In the wake of the devastating wildfires that swept across the panhandle of Oklahoma, Monsanto Co. is partnering with the Oklahoma Farming and Ranching Foundation to bring essential financial relief to the victims.
Monsanto, a sustainable agriculture company, announced yesterday the company would donate $200,000 to those affected by the fires throughout Colorado, Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas. The donations would be divided equally in gifts of $50,000 each and distributed respectively to the four states.
“This is a tremendous gift for those who lost so much and we are extremely grateful to Monsanto for this generous gift. We have witnessed extreme acts of generosity pouring out from the agriculture community, “said Jeramy Rich, president of the Oklahoma Farming and Ranching Foundation.
The fires which swept across Oklahoma destroyed over 3,000 acres and killed an estimated 3,000 head of cattle and 6,500 hogs according to a statement by the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry. Several homes, over 1,100 miles of fence lines and livelihoods were all affected by the fire.
“Our hearts go out to those individuals and families who have been impacted by the devastating wildfires in Oklahoma,” said Brett Begemann, president and chief operating officer at Monsanto. “Here at Monsanto we are committed to strengthening both farming communities and the communities where we live and work, and supporting others in agriculture.”
“We consider it a privilege to play a small part in the Oklahoma relief efforts and encourage others to join us in restoring the livelihoods of the state’s farmers and ranchers who have lost homes, crops, livestock and grazing lands. We’re all in this together,” he added.
The Oklahoma Farming and Ranching Foundation is collecting donations from individuals and organizations interested in helping with the relief efforts. For more information, please contact Amanda Rosholt, public relations and fundraising director for the Oklahoma Farm Ranching Foundation at 405-202-1463. Those in need of reimbursement for transporting hay may also contact the foundation.
