The grants are part of the Canada’s Farmers Grow Communities Program
By Diego Flammini
News Reporter
Farms.com
A total of 66 rural charities and non-profit groups across Canada, including 18 in Alberta, will each receive a grant of $2,500 from Monsanto’s Canada’s Farmers Grow Communities Program.
Farmers submitted applications to Monsanto, describing their favourite charities or non-profit organizations and how the funding would help the organizations.
And producers see this program as an opportunity to bridge the gap between urban and rural residents.
“People are curious and wonder about where their food comes from now more than ever before,” Nichole Neubauer, a cattle and cash cropper from Medicine Hat, Alta., told Farms.com today.
Nichole Neubauer
Photo: Twitter
“It’s becoming very important for us to build relationships with our customers and to discuss what farming looks like. Those of us that remain rural must make connections with our urban friends.”
Neubauer’s organization of choice, the Medicine Hat Youth Action Society (MHYAS), is one of the Alberta non-profits that will be receiving a grant.
MHYAS provides activities and outreach programs for youth between the ages of 11 and 17. Including a garden project at Neubauer’s farm, which the grant will be used to help continue.
“The grant allows us not to worry about fundraising for the garden project,” Melissa Pearl, wellness coordinator with MHYAS, told Farms.com today. “It will cover the costs of any seeds and starter kits we need. Each year the kids decide what they want to plant and (Neubauer) teaches them subjects like soil health and water irrigation.”
And other grant recipients, like WINGS (Women in Need of Growing Stronger) of Providence Society in Edmonton, Alta., are appreciative of the ag industry’s commitment to the community.
“We’re very happy to receive the support because it helps us with our work,” said Patricia Garrett, executive director of WINGS. “The grant will help us continue to offer our programs to the women and children who need them, including some from rural areas of the province.”
William Heidecker, founder of Drylander Ranch in Coronation, Alta., nominated WINGS to receive the $2,500 grant.
The other Alberta winners include:
| Charity | Nominator,Location |
| Ponoka & District Health Foundation | Dorothy Ungstad, Ponoka |
| Stettler Regional Child Care Society | Heather Rowland, Big Valley |
| Beaverhill Bird Observatory Society | Nathan Strilchuk |
| Bay Tree Community Park Association | Garh Thompson, Bay Tree |
| Smoky River Pallative Care Society | Jules Aubin, Guy |
| Alix Agricultural Society | Carolyn Barritt, Alix |
| Community Association for Lasting Success | Wesley Antonchuk, Vegreville |
| Friends of the Innisfree Library Society | Randy & Susan Cannon, Innisfree |
| Nose Creek Valley Museum Society | Terrie & Scott Copley, Crossfield |
| Leduc & District Emergency Shelter | Gordon Schneider, Beaver County |
| La Glace People Deterrent Citizens on Patrol | Nancy Schlauwitz, La Glace |
| Wrentham Fire & Rescue Foundation | Kim Owen, Wrentham |
| Société Centre Communautaire De St. Isidore | Alain Lavoie, St. Isidore |
| Trochu Playschool | Ernest Gelinas, Trochu |
| Holden Agricultural Society | Maury Micklich, Holden |
| Mannville Historical Society | Jim & Eileen Kitt, Mannville |
Farms.com extends its congratulations to all of the winners!