Blog | Canada's Farmers Grow Communities

Grant ensures community members have access to local healthcare services

August 15, 2022

Saint-Louis-de-Gonzague, Quebec – Quick and easy access to healthcare is important to everyone, and COOP de Solidarité et Santé de la Famille aims to provide just that to rural families, with services such as blood tests, medication injections, bandaging, vaccinations, and suture removal. The clinic operates as a member co-op and is continuing to grow, […]

Grant funds for basketball court resurfacing helping to keep a community active

August 4, 2022

Sperling, Manitoba – In small communities like Sperling, public spaces act as important hubs for bringing residents together through events and recreational activities, so it’s crucial to maintain these spaces to keep them operational. In 2021, the Sperling Community Centre District (SCCD) surveyed Sperling residents on what potential capital projects they would like to see […]

Grant provides fundraising boost for new school gym

August 4, 2022

Milk River, Alberta – When a community comes together to work towards a common goal, great things can happen. The Milk River Community School Enhancement Society (MRCSES) is an excellent example of that. The group includes parents and community members from the Milk River area who wanted to see local kids have access to a […]

Grant helps get nutritious food into the hands of community members in need

August 4, 2022

Lac Du Bonnet, Manitoba – Access to nutritious food is something HERO’S Alliance aims to provide residents of Lac Du Bonnet through its Lunch Is On Us program, which helps individuals who are often underserved by existing programs. The non-profit is run by citizens and local professionals who volunteer their time, and through the Lunch […]

Grant helps fund dance program connecting people to each other and their roots

August 4, 2022

Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta – Dancing can hold a lot of meaning, whether it’s keeping cultural traditions alive, expressing creativity, or connecting with others through movement. The Fort Saskatchewan Ukrainian Dance Association brings the world of Ukrainian dance to kids and adults of all ages in the small and close-knit community of Fort Saskatchewan. The non-profit […]

Grant helps National Historic Site install interpretative signage for visitors

August 4, 2022

Delta, Ontario – The Old Stone Mill in Delta, Ontario is a National Historic Site that gives visitors a chance to go back in time and learn about milling technology and 1800s industrial heritage. The mill was built in 1810 and is owned and operated by the Delta Mill Society, which also owns and operates […]

Grant funds help bring arts and recreational programming to rural communities

August 4, 2022

Montmartre, Saskatchewan – Living in a rural community sometimes means access to arts and recreational programs is limited or requires travel to other communities. Centre 48 Arts and Education works to bring arts, culture, fitness, and continuing education programming to a number of rural communities in Saskatchewan. The non-profit organization provides programming to over 5,000 […]

Chatham-Kent Hospice Foundation Selected for CFGC Grant in 2020

July 5, 2021

Chatham, Ontario — The Chatham-Kent Hospice has touched the lives of many local families by supporting people at the end stage of life and providing a home-like setting where they can live their final days. Jodi Maroney, the Executive Director of the Chatham-Kent Hospice Foundation says they need an average of $110,000 in donations every month to support the Hospice’s annual operating requirements. “Chatham-Kent Hospice receives partial funding from the provincial government, covering about 50% of the […]

Wadena Van Committee Wins Grant Through CFGC Program in 2020

July 5, 2021

Wadena, Saskatchewan — Connie Anderson hadn’t been living in Wadena, Saskatchewan, very long when the person trying to get a community handi-van going approached her to be the treasurer of the committee. They insisted Anderson get involved since they’d heard she was responsible for getting a van in another town while living there. “In Rose Valley, I used to live across from a care home, and I’d see one of the workers struggling to get some elderly ladies in her tiny car to take them around town,” says Anderson. “It wasn’t right, so I went to the town […]

Clavet Arena Receives $2,500 Toward Upgrades from Bayer Fund

July 5, 2021

Clavet, Saskatchewan –- A rural town in Canada isn’t complete without a place to play hockey year-round. In 1987, volunteers and contractors got together with a vision to build what would become the Clavet Arena. “I’ve been involved since day one and played hockey there for 20 years,” says Bill Epp. “To get the funds for the arena, a group of us from the community got together so the bank would loan us money to build it.” Epp knows from his early […]

Grunthal Caring Hands Food Bank Stocks Up With $2,500 From Bayer Fund

July 5, 2021

Grunthal, Manitoba -– Dave Plett’s family has handed out food hampers with the Grunthal Caring Hands Food Bank during the holidays for so long, he says he, “can’t remember if it’s been 14 or 15 years.” Plett says it’s important to share this tradition with his kids to show them how important it is to support the community. Plett owns a dairy and grain farm in Kleefeld, and he nominated the Grunthal Caring Hands Food Bank for a grant […]

Vermilion Mental Health Capacity Building Program Selected To Receive $2,500 Grant in 2020

July 5, 2021

Vermilion, Alberta –- Monique Hart, a high school teacher at J.R. Robson High School in Vermilion, says she’s glad the grade 10 kids in her CALM (career and life management) class received mental health training starting in kindergarten. “You can see they’ve soaked up the mindfulness strategies and assertiveness training,” she says. “All kids have stressors, but I can tell from their assignments the benefits of what they’ve learned through VIBE.” VIBE Wellness is a charity that started in […]

Breast Cancer Survivor Dragon Boat Racing Team Keeps their Community Moving with Help From Bayer Fund

July 5, 2021

London, Ontario — The Rowbust Dragon Boat Racing Team began as a beacon of hope. Doctor Annette Richard shared the idea of dragon boat racing with a friend with breast cancer to give her something to look forward to through her diagnosis, surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation treatments. Linda Kuska says she found out about Rowbust because she heard Dr. Annette Richard speaking in the media about the positive impact of exercise on breast cancer outcomes and promoting her dragon boat racing team. Kuska attended Rowbust’s first-ever meeting in spring 2000, and she’s been a member ever since. “We have […]

Chateauguay Valley Regional High School Reimagines Outdoor Learning With Help From Bayer Fund Grant

June 7, 2021

Ormstown, Quebec –- In September 2020, students started another year of socially distanced school. Kimberly Hardy and Marie-Eve Beaulieu, two teachers at Chateauguay Valley Regional (CVR) High School, saw how hard it was for their students to spend all day in one room and adapt to hybrid learning. They started brainstorming about building an outdoor classroom. Hardy says CVR High School […]

Tanner Steffler Foundation

June 17, 2020

In 2017, Seaforth, Ontario, a small farming community within Huron County, was shaken by the sudden loss of 19-year-old Tanner Steffler. After battling with substance misuse and mental health challenges, Steffler passed away from an overdose. Following Tanner’s death, many community members began reaching out to his family to share their own experiences with substance misuse and mental […]

Okotoks Food Bank

June 5, 2020

Okotoks, Alberta — Food banks are a safe haven for many individuals and families who are experiencing financial hardships and help provide a sense of security, hope, and community to those in need. The economic downturn in Alberta that began in 2014 has hit the Foothills county hard, and the Okotoks Food Bank Association has been diligently working to keep the community fed ever since. The registered […]

Glenboro Gaiety Theatre

June 5, 2020

Glenboro, Manitoba — Nestled on the south-end of Glenboro, Manitoba is a single-screen Art Deco-style theatre that’s been operating for over three quarters of a century. It’s a community fixture, hosting movies and drawing in patrons from nearby communities since 1941. During its early years, viewers enjoyed instant classics such as Babes in Arms (the theatre’s first film) and Casablanca. For townsfolk, the theatre […]

Friends of Lamont Elementary

June 5, 2020

Lamont, Alberta — Being strong enough to cross the monkey bars or swinging so high that it feels like you’re flying—these are two fundamental parts of being a kid enjoying recess. But at Lamont Elementary School, the playground is literally falling apart. It’s an old school (pun intended), wooden structure, the same kind that Delane Zacharko played on as a kid. Now with kids of her […]

Dungannon Agriculture Society — Dungannon Pro Rodeo

June 5, 2020

Dungannon, ON – About five years ago, grower Kayla Bishop had an idea to bring an annual rodeo to her hometown and subsequently pitched the idea to Susan Cutting, an ag industry peer. As a rodeo enthusiast who had traveled the local circuit for years, Cutting jumped on the idea immediately. Now, heading into its fourth year, the Dungannon Pro Rodeo draws in over 2,000 attendees each year. “It brings […]

Bethany Assisted Living

June 5, 2020

Wilkie, Saskatchewan — Sharing a meal together is about so much more than just eating food—it’s about connecting with others. To many, the dinner table can serve as a unifier where stories are told, games are played, and relationships are strengthened. At Bethany Assisted Living, providing residents with regular shared mealtimes is an integral part of their programming and now a new set of dining furniture […]

Above & Beyond Animal Rehab Centre

June 5, 2020

Kingston, Nova Scotia — Animals have the ability to help heal humans. This is a belief that Lisa Simpson from Kingston, Nova Scotia holds close to her heart. Having grown up on a multi-generational mixed grain farm where she currently works, Simpson has always felt comfortable around animals. A number of years ago, she began caring for stray cats in her community. […]

Grant Boosts Local Library’s Services and Equipment

September 16, 2019

Wrentham, Alberta – There is only one business located in the small hamlet of Wrentham, a close-knit community surrounded by farmland. Residents here must drive to buy groceries, get gas, and run other errands, so the Wrentham Library and Post Office is an important amenity for community members. The library is a place to visit […]

Grant Helps Bring Internet Safety Presentations to Local Schools

September 3, 2019

Tofield, Alberta – When someone is experiencing a crisis, Beaver County Victim Services (BCVS) staff and volunteer advocates are there to provide free and confidential support in whatever way they can. Working under the guidance and direction of the RCMP detachments of Tofield and Viking, BCVS’ goal is to limit the impact of crime […]

Museum Plans Exhibit Upgrade with Grant Funds

August 8, 2019

Melville, Saskatchewan – One of the oldest buildings in Melville houses a collection of more than 10,000 artifacts in 22 exhibits, which span three floors. These exhibits tell the story of Melville, its history, and its residents. With a population of just under 5,000, Melville is Saskatchewan’s smallest city and is home to the Melville […]

Local Artists Benefit from Grant Support

July 8, 2019

Selkirk, Manitoba – Walk along the streets of Selkirk and you’ll notice a variety of colourful murals painted on the sides of many buildings. These murals tell powerful stories about the community and the people who live here. The murals are part of an initiative run by the Interlake Art Board (IAB), a not-for-profit incorporated […]

Grant helps provide care for “farmer’s best friend”

July 3, 2019

Across Canada, non-profit organizations strengthen small towns with all kinds of projects dedicated to helping individuals. In the case of Valley Mastiff Rescue, those individuals happen to be of the furry variety.

Grant Helps High School Students Connect to Local Agriculture

June 10, 2019

Palmerston, Ontario – Students at Norwell District Secondary School (NDSS) have a unique link to the local agriculture industry thanks to a specialty program known as LEAF (Local Environmental Agriculture & Food). Paul Frayne, a teacher at NDSS, recognized a need for the community’s young people to understand where their food comes from and […]

Grant Money for Pool Repairs will Help Make a Splash!

April 8, 2019

Hamiota, Manitoba – Kids and adults of all ages enjoy the Hamiota Aquatic Centre, which features a heated pool with a diving board and two slides. The pool is operated by the Midwest Recreation District and is accessed by families who come from Hamiota and the rural municipalities of Oakview and Wallace-Woodworth. “We have kids […]

Grant fuels students’ bellies and minds

August 1, 2018

Marshall, Saskatchewan – The Marshall School isn’t only a place for students to come and learn. It’s also a place where they can depend on a well-balanced meal every morning at the Breakfast Program. “Our students come from very different socio-economic backgrounds, but we believe every child should have access to food and that full […]

Farmer pays it forward to kids’ educational program

July 24, 2018

Vegreville, Alberta – After the Community Association for Lasting Success (CALS) provided speech therapy to Wesley Antonchuk’s son, he knew he wanted to pay it back. “He progressed so quickly with the assistance of their amazing teachers… I believe this program would be as beneficial to many of the community’s children as The […]

Bayer helps small-town ag society educate youth

July 17, 2018

Kincardine, Ontario – There are three things the beach town of Kincardine is best known for: the view of Lake Huron, the world famous sunsets and the annual fall fair hosted by the Kincardine Agricultural Society. “The fair’s our main thrust here. We host it on Labour Day weekend and educate the public about […]

Local farmer restores 100-year-old building with grant money

July 10, 2018

Mannville, Alberta – Preserving the past is important for semi-retired angus farmers, Jim Kitt and his wife Eileen. “Personally, we’re fans of history, and it’s been a wonderful experience to be involved in preserving it,” Eileen says. One of the many heritage sites they take great pride in is their town’s 100-year-old Alberta Government Telephones […]

Grant money helps community splash into the future

July 3, 2018

St-Pierre-Jolys, Manitoba – In a small town with a population of only 1,100, it can be difficult to find the excitement and entertainment of big city living. This was the case for the town of St-Pierre-Jolys. That is until they received a $2,500 grant from the Bayer Fund’s Canada’s Farmers Grow Communities (CFGC) program, […]

Grant keeps town’s only gathering place alive

June 26, 2018

St.Gregor, Saskatchewan – What’s the secret to keeping a rural town of 100 people viable? A community meeting place. “You need a meeting place to connect. It becomes the hub for everyone both young and old,” says St. Gregor farmer, Tracy Mollenbeck. So, when word spread that the hotel — which also housed the local […]

Farmer aims to save lives with grant money

July 31, 2017

When people are involved in an accident, seconds matter. That’s why firefighters at Chatham-Kent Fire and Emergency Services Station 4 are grateful to receive a Canada’s Farmers Grow Communities grant.

Celebrating the history of rural Canada

June 30, 2017

Souris, MB’s Hillcrest Museum is open every July and August, but the museum has struggled to keep its doors open even for those two months. Thankfully, Hillcrest received a boost when farmer and Souris local Dustin Williams nominated the Hillcrest Museum for Canada’s Farmers Grow Communities (CFGC).

We’ve got mail!

June 2, 2017

Throughout the year, we receive emails and letters from our Canada’s Farmers Grow Communities grant recipients. We share a few recent submissions.

Helping injured farmers get Back to Ag

May 10, 2017

As farmers across Canada get back in the fields this spring, a special program from the Canadian Agricultural Safety Association is helping injured farmers get Back to Ag.

You are who we need

April 26, 2017

There are countless scholarships offered across Canada to students entering post-secondary studies in agriculture. I take my hat off to the companies and organizations who put their support and confidence into young people pursuing a place in this exciting industry by supporting their pursuit of an education.

A farmer made it possible

April 4, 2017

When Mary Lou Bourne opened an email from Bayer a few years ago, she received a surprise worth $2,500.

Playground leaves a lasting legacy

March 24, 2017

When Murray Froebe’s kids enjoy the brand new playground at Carman Elementary, they’re not just having fun, they’re experiencing a part of their grandfather’s legacy.

Farmers are great friends to ON food banks

March 15, 2017

With the public consciousness being raised around the issue of food waste and the enormous costs to society of disposing of a third of the food that we produce, many farmers are looking back to this ancient practice as a way to both reduce food waste and feed people in need at the same time.

Female farmers grow their communities

March 8, 2017

Canadian farm women like the Friends of the Falher Library truly do grow their communities. Let’s celebrate their incredible contributions – on International Women’s Day and every day.

Inviting farmers to the classroom for Canadian Ag Literacy Month

March 1, 2017

Have you every heard of Canadian Agriculture Literacy Month (CALM)? If you haven’t and you’re a farmer, maybe it’s time you did! Since 2012, Agriculture in the Classroom-Canada has delivered this program each March to over 90,000 students across Canada. Through hands-on experiences, students learn about and celebrate agriculture in various ways, including reading about […]