KAMSACK — Including Eaglestone Lodge in Kamsack, a total of 17 worthy causes across the Prairies will benefit this year from Canterra Seeds’ Rooted in the Prairies Project, which invests in local non-profit organizations nominated by the agriculture community across Western Canada.
Last month readers of the Kamsack Times learned that the Canterra Seeds Rooted in the Prairies Project donated $2,500 to Eaglestone Lodge and that amount was matched by Fedoruk Seeds of Kamsack, which is a shareholder in Canterra Seeds.
Now in its second year, the project has more than doubled its investment, said a release from Canterra Seeds. In 2021, $25,000 was committed to 10 projects by Canterra Seeds, but with opportunities for nominees to match or amplify the investment, the total raised was over $161,000. This year, Canterra Seeds has committed to over $62,000, which is expected to grow exponentially with some winning farmers amplifying their donation by planting a Canterra Seeds variety and donating the resulting profit after harvest.
“After seeing the effect of last year’s project – the communities it touched and the people it helped – we knew we had to do it again.” said David Hansen, President and CEO of Canterra Seeds.
Last year, Broken Arrow Youth Ranch received over $68,000 after the initial investment was amplified by Petruic Seed Company through the Bushels for Broken Arrow project, the release said.
"We can't thank the farmers enough for their sacrifice and generosity. Without them, we couldn't exist," said Todd Moroz, CEO and Director of Ministry and Outreach at Broken Arrow Youth Ranch. “We are honoured to have been nominated and selected again this year.”
With 115 deserving nominations this year, the project selection committee had the challenging task of narrowing the list down to the final 17 projects:
From Saskatchewan:
- Kamsack Eaglestone Lodge Personal Care Home, nominated by Cathy Fedoruk (Kamsack);
- Broken Arrow Youth Ranch, nominated by Todd Moroz (Wood Mountain);
- Climax Fire Department, nominated by Cody Glenn (Climax);
- Farm2Kitchen, nominated by Roy Klym (Regina);
- Glaslyn Rec Board, nominated by Joan Booy (Glaslyn);
- Hafford and District Recreation Board, nominated by Dallas Simmonds (Hafford); and
- Naicam Minor Sports Organization, nominated by Lynnell Olson (Archerwill).
From Alberta:
- Acadia Irrigation Society, nominated by Darold Niwa (Medicine Hat);
- Acme Alumni Association, nominated by Paul Wiebe (Acme);
- Comite Culturel de St-Isidore, nominated by Norm and Simon Lavoie (St-Isidore);
- Do More Ag, nominated by Matt Hamill (Red Deer);
- Mundare Easter Basket Ukrainian Refugee Effort, nominated by Rudy Warawa (Mundare);
- and Wetaskiwin Curling Club, nominated by Robyn Gerrard (Wetaskiwin).
From Manitoba:
- Manitoba Farmers Wellness Program, nominated by Roberta Galbraith (Minnedosa);
- Minnedosa Grain Growers, nominated by Barry McNabb (Minnedosa);
- Newdale Fire Department, nominated by Andrew Dalgarno (Newdale); and
- Agathe Red River Access Project, nominated by Laird Lampertz (Domain).
The other recipient is the Rolla Community Hall, nominated by Schyler and Celina Raaen of Rolla, B.C.
“The project is about teamwork and supporting the Western Canadian communities we live in,” said Hansen. “While the initial investment is the seed, or monetary donation, a handful of our nominees spend the summer turning that seed into something far more valuable.
“I look forward to seeing what the total support will be when all the fields are harvested,” he said.
Canterra Seeds is to announce the total investment made by the Rooted in the Prairies Project in December. One may learn more about the Rooted in the Prairies Project at canterra.com/rooted-project.
