Alberta (Rural Roots Canada) – Nominations are open for BASF Agricultural Solutions Canada‘s Growing Home program, and $160,000 is on the table for rural organizations across four provinces.

Now in its fourth year, the program invites farmers and agricultural retailers in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario to put forward organizations that make a difference in their communities.

Andrea McConnell, customer solutions manager at BASF Agricultural Solutions Canada, says giving back to the people connected to the industry has always been the driving force behind the program.

“We wanted to look at how we could give back to those communities that the farmers and their families and retailers who sell our products, how we could support those communities,” McConnell said.

The range of organizations nominated each year reflects how varied rural community needs can be.

“It’s everything from community clubs supporting hockey and curling rinks and community halls, to daycares,” McConnell said. “A couple of years ago in Ontario, it was a respite cabin for farmers and first responders affected by mental health or trauma.”

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Since the program launched in 2023, BASF has given $335,000 to 19 organizations across the four provinces.

Last year’s first-place winners each received $25,000. They included the Hussar Agricultural Society in Alberta, which used the money for arena upgrades, and the Palmerston and District Hospital Foundation in Ontario, which used the funds to bring MRI technology to its rural community.

In Manitoba, the Boissevain School Parent Advisory Council used its prize to build an accessible playground, while Playfair Daycare in Saskatchewan put its winnings towards a second location that will add 90 new childcare spots.

This year, 12 organizations will share the prize fund across three levels. Four first-place winners will each receive $25,000, four second-place winners will receive $10,000 each, and four third-place winners will receive $5,000 each, with one winner per prize level in each province.

Nominations are open until Feb. 28. Voting opens to all Canadians on March 31 and runs until April 17. Winners will be announced on April 28.

More information on how to nominate is available at agsolutions.ca/growinghome.