The Monsanto Fund’s America's Farmers Grow Communities is inviting St. Lawrence County farmers to apply for grants for $2,500 in behalf of local nonprofit organizations.

This past March, the Monsanto Fund presented a $2,500 check to the Madrid Fire Department after Madrid farmer LouAnne King submitted an application to the fund to be given to the firefighters.

This October, during Fire Prevention Month, St. Lawrence County farmers have another opportunity to recognize the hard work of their volunteer firefighters by signing up for the second annual America's Farmers Grow Communities awards.

America’s Farmers Grow Communities is a way that the Monsanto Fund can highlight the important contributions farmers make every day to our society by helping them help their local communities.

The fund was created by the Monsanto Company to benefit nonprofit community groups such as fire departments, agriculture youth organizations, schools and other civic groups that are important to America's farmers.

This year, the program has expanded to a total of 1,245 counties in 39 states. In New York, the Monsanto Fund will invest a total of $45,000 toward nonprofit organizations in rural communities.

Now through Nov. 30, 2011, farmers can apply at www.growcommunities.com, or call (877) 267-3332 to apply by phone.

To date, more than 60,000 farmers have participated in the program.