Outstanding local organisations in farming communities across Australia, received grants of $2,500 in December & January from Corteva Agriscience, CRT & Nutrien Ag Solutions.
Corteva, CRT and Nutrien awarded thirty surprise $2,500 grants, totalling $75,000, to exceptional clubs, groups and organisations who make outstanding contributions to their local rural and regional communities.
Corteva Agriscience's sales director, Kirsty Ebert, said the grants were about giving back to grass-roots community groups and volunteers who continually help farming communities.
"Community groups are the heart and soul of our rural and regional areas, and funding can be one of their biggest challenges," said Ms Ebert. "We came together with CRT and Nutrien to give back to these organisations because they give so much."
"A local Nutrien or CRT representative nominated each organisation, and all thirty winners do incredible work in their communities. Many are also on the frontline of service delivery and recovery.
"For example, the Carabost Fire Brigade in Wagga Wagga is made of up a small group of farmers who worked tirelessly during last year's devastating fires. They will use their grant to add a lockable skillion to their shed to help protect their essential fire equipment and provide more space for critical training and meetings.
"The Strathalbyn Interchurch Council in South Australia distributes Christmas hampers to people in need every year. COVID badly impacted the fundraising activities in 2020. With their grant, they were still able to give hampers to over 140 families.
"Funds will help the Matong Community Group rebuild their town after a bad run of luck in recent years. They lost both their beautiful local pub and their antique store.
"In Western Australia, the Newdegate P & C tirelessly fundraise to provide students with access to technology, tools and resources. Their grant will take some pressure off fundraising in a small town, where often the person who bakes the cake for the stall also buys someone else's cake just to support the cause.
"The Fassifern Sports Club in Boonah, Queensland, will assist more children to play sport by supporting families with the costs of registration, equipment and coaching expenses.
"And in Victoria, the Birchip Cricket Club will use their grants to continue to help local kids play cricket.”
David Wood, Nutrien Ag Solutions national procurement manager for crop protection & seed, said he hoped the financial support provided through the thirty surprise grants would give the local groups a boost and reduce some pressure on volunteers.
"Community groups work tirelessly to provide a range of important local services in farming communities,” he said.
"Fundraising is a constant, and when it's a small community, it can often be the same people volunteering and giving.
"Last year was also a challenging year for many organisations as their regular fundraising activities were stalled or altered due to coronavirus restrictions.
"We hope these grants are taking some pressure off community groups by providing an injection of funds from outside, so they can continue to do their great work.”
To learn more about all the winning community grantees, please click on the club in the interactive map below.
