Tire Grant has Glenburn Fire Protection District Riding on Soy

North Dakota and Renville County farmers, through their soybean checkoff dollars, are giving back to local first responders this year while promoting soy-based innovation at the same time. The North Dakota Soybean Council recently provided a grant to the Glenburn Fire Protection District for the purchase of Goodyear soy-based tires for their fire pickup.

“We are a small department who went through a devastating fire in the department in March of 2021,” says Mike Overton, Glenburn Fire Protection District chief. “The fire destroyed everything we had, including our trucks, the station, gear, and equipment. We’re up and running again, but some of the vehicles donated to us still need some work. One vehicle, a 2006 Chevy pickup, badly needed a new set of tires, and we really didn’t have funds to purchase. We greatly appreciate the North Dakota Soybean Council’s willingness to help local first responders.”

The NDSC provided grants, up to $1,000 per organization, for the purchase of Goodyear soy-based tires. The farmer led board of directors wanted to give back to their communities, while also supporting the various uses for soybeans.

“The first responders, fire departments and ambulance services that are provided in our rural areas are second to none,” says Chris Brossart, NDSC chairman and soybean producer from Wolford. “These individuals are the real heroes, and we’re excited to be able to give back and help these organizations. This grant is a fantastic way we can show our support just as they support each and every one of us!”

Since 2017, Goodyear, supported by the United Soybean Board’s soy checkoff investments, has released seven lines of tires with soybean oil compounds. The Akron, Ohio based company has increased its use of soybeans by 73% since 2018, according to the company, and pledged to fully replace all of its petroleum driven oils with soybean oil by 2040.

Renville County produced 1,889,000 bushels of soybeans in 2022. Farmers in the county planted 68,900 acres and harvested 67,700 acres of soybeans.

NDSC news release