Et cetera : Local farmer secures $2,500 donation for Vinton Fire Department

Fire Chief McKenna, Mark Happel, Mayor Watson accept $2,500 check from Monsanto's Matt Blythe.

Mark Happel signed up for the Monsanto Grow Communities project at the farm show earlier this year.

He was the winner for Benton County, which gave him the opportunity to choose a community organization to receive a $2,500 donation from the company.

He chose the Vinton Fire Department. Matt Blythe of Monsanto attended the Vinton City Council meeting Thursday night to present the check to Fire Chief Gary McKenna.

Happel said he chose the fire department in part to thank them for responding to a couple of brush fire calls in his area.

"And they could use the money," he said.

Mayor John Watson joined McKenna and Happel in accepting the check from Blythe.