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R.D. Offutt Company Awards Grant to Boardman Rural Fire Protection District

Through Community Builder Program The grant will be used to purchase a lightweight Quick Response Unit

BOARDMAN, OR (January 8, 2018) Threemile Canyon Farms announces the Boardman Rural Fire Protection District is the recipient of a grant through a special Volunteer Fire Department focus of its Community Builder program, a unique initiative supported by the Offutt Family Foundation and open to employees of R.D. Offutt Company, parent company of Threemile Canyon Farms.

The Boardman Rural Fire Protection District spans 330 square miles and serves approximately 3,310 citizens within the City of Boardman, another 5,000 in daily commuter traffic, as well as residents living in outlying areas. The District also responds to Morrow County Health District requests for medical emergencies.

All R.D. Offutt Company team members who are active volunteer firefighters were invited to apply for a Community Builder grant. As part of the application, the employee explained how the grant will benefit the local community along with information about his/her personal commitment to the fire department. Tammy Sheppard, Crop Records Clerk at Threemile and dedicated volunteer firefighter since 2010, submitted the Community Builder grant for the Boardman Rural Fire Protection District.

Tammy and her husband currently man Station 3 for the District. When asked about her role as a volunteer firefighter, Tammy said, “It is fulfilling to help the citizens of my community and those traveling through our district and commuting here for jobs. I also take pride in the fact that we are protecting the environment and agricultural resources within the district.” She plans to continue volunteering as long as she is physically able.

Community Builder applications are submitted year-round and awarded twice a year. Because of the number of team members who donate time to their local volunteer fire department, this fall’s round of submissions was specially designated for rural and volunteer fire departments. “The response we received was overwhelming and speaks to the great needs our communities have in providing resources to volunteer fire departments,” Jean Zimmerman, Executive Vice President of RDO Equipment Co., said. “Supporting our communities is important to the Offutt Family Foundation and these grants will greatly impact, not just the volunteer fire departments, but the citizens who rely on this crucial community service.” A total of 41 volunteer and rural fire departments across the R.D. Offutt Company footprint were awarded Community Builder grants.                                                                                                 ### About the Community Builder program

The Community Builder program began in 2015, with the mission of providing an opportunity for engaged employees to nominate a charity whose efforts and programs are making a difference in their communities. Community Builder grants are meant to be transformative and impactful to the benefiting charities. Supported by the Offutt Family Foundation, any team member from R.D. Offutt Company, parent company to Threemile Canyon Farms, R.D. Offutt Farms, and RDO Equipment Co. can apply for a Community Builder grant. Submissions are accepted year-round and grants are awarded two times each year. About R.D. Offutt Company R.D. Offutt Company is a family owned and operated company comprised of several business entities in the farming, food production, equipment, and trucking industries. Today, the company owns and operates dairy, conventional, and organic farms, and has ownership in several production facilities throughout the upper Midwest and Northwest.