Seed to Score is a new fundraising effort in support of the Yorkton Terriers Junior Hockey Club.
The program has a number of local businesses supporting the Terries in an effort to grow a canola crop which they will market in the fall.
"We acquired 200 acres of land, some from the City of Yorkton, and some renting from Vern Brown," explained Terrier general manager Don Chesney, adding the initial idea was put forth by club president Lyle Walsh.
Once the team had acquired the land, a number of businesses were approached to support producing a crop.
Richardson Oilseeds was one of the first supplying canola seed.
Gord Kennedy said the canola project was a perfect fit for Richardson Oilseeds.
"We take pride in being involved in the communities we operate in," he said, adding they seem that important because their employees and customers live in those communities.
Being able to support a Junior hockey program which is highly visible in the city was a good way to be involved, said Kennedy.
The seeding was done by Maple Farm Equipment, with spraying by Green Trac Spray Masters, a sister company.
Ron Reese with Maple said it was a good project to become involved with, adding the Terriers approached the John Deere dealership, and it made sense to supply air seeding and spraying equipment, with plans to harvest the crop in the fall.
"It was a chance to show off our new equipment," he said, adding it helped the local team in the process.
Fuel came from the Co-op Ag Team.
Other companies, such as BASF and Bridgeview Fluid Solutions supplied chemicals and fertilizer, and Farrell Agencies offered hail insurance.
Agri-coach Scott Park also donated his time to oversee the process.
"He's kind of been coordinating the whole thing for me," said Chesney, adding with a grin, "I'm a cow guy, not a canola guy."
Park said when asked, he jumped at the chance to help.
"I thought it would be a good thing to help out the Terriers with their fundraiser," he said, adding the broad corporate support shows it was an idea which caught on.
Park said the project, since most inputs have been donated could raise $40,000 and maybe as high as $50,000 for the team.
Chesney said the idea is a good one as it is a fresh way to raise money. He said the team has nearly maxed out its corporate support in areas such as board signage, and in-ice logos, but the crop project is a new way to support the Terriers and generate some positive publicity for participants.
