Marshall County soybean and corn farmers appreciate the inherent dangers that come with farming. When accidents happen, growers depend on their local first responders to act quickly and efficiently. Like farmers, first responders are best able to do their job when they have more tools in their toolbox.

That’s why the Marshall County Soybean & Corn Growers, in partnership with the Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council (MSR&PC), are donating five grain bin rescue augers to area fire departments.

“It seems like every year, we hear about the tragedy of somebody lost in a grain bin,” Board Chair Tony Johnson said. “This donation benefits not only the first responders in our county, but the farmers, too.”

Shared between the nine fire departments throughout the county, the grain bin rescue auger draws grain away from the trapped victim more quickly than manually scooping out the grain. The auger is intended to be used in conjunction with a grain bin rescue tube, which stops the flow of grain towards the victim.

As a member of the Warren Volunteer Fire Department and past fire chief, Johnson is no stranger to the financial constraints placed on rural fire departments.

“The expense of fire and emergency service equipment is astronomical,” Johnson said. “We just don’t have the budget to go and purchase everything on our wish list. It’s incredible to have people that help support us. It’s a huge deal.”

No one wakes up in the morning expecting to find themselves in a life or death situation later in the day. By wisely investing soybean checkoff dollars, the Marshall County Soybean & Corn Growers are taking critical steps in ensuring that a farmer trapped in a bin returns home safely to their family that night.

“It’s one heck of a good way to give back to the producers that support us by helping to prepare fire departments to help a farmer in need,” said Johnson, who farms near Warren.

About the Marshall County Soybean & Corn Growers Board  
Marshall County is affiliated with the Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council, a 15-person, farmer-led board that oversees the investment of checkoff dollars on behalf of the nearly 28,000 soybean farmers in Minnesota. The Council is governed by the rules of a federally mandated checkoff program requiring all soybean producers to pay a fee on the soybeans they sell. This money is used to promote, educate and develop market opportunities for soybeans.