• BASF to distribute $100,000 between four organizations to support local initiatives in rural Canadian communities

CALGARY, ALBERTA, April 30, 2024 – After a close race between the Growing Home with BASF finalists, the votes have been tallied and the winners have been selected. This year’s program received 624 nominations from growers, which were narrowed down to 12 finalists – three each in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario.

In true community spirit, voting to determine the Growing Home with BASF winners was opened to the public for a two-week period, allowing finalist organizations to rally support from their networks. A monumental 135,908 total votes were received for the finalists.

The winning organizations are as follows:

• Erskine Curling Club (Alberta) — Erskine Curling Rink was built in 1953 and is the heart of the Erskine community. The curling club teaches the Erskine school children curling lessons as part of their physical education classes and is run by curling league member volunteers. They also support their local Erskine 4-H Beef Club, providing space for the club to run its meetings. The curling club is in need of major renovations to keep the building operational and thriving for future generations.
• Abbey Curling Club (Saskatchewan) — Abbey Curling Club was established decades ago and is a hub of activity during the winter months for the rural community of Abbey in southwest Saskatchewan. Citizens of all ages look forward to winters at the rink as a place to socialize and get active. The club offers regular league curling, youth clinics and after-school programs, 4-H playdowns and various bonspiels throughout the winter. Unfortunately, during the 2023-2024 season, the compressor broke down and requires extensive repair. The funds from Growing Home with BASF will support the club’s plans to have the repairs completed by fall 2024.
• St. Jean Baptiste Volunteer Fire Department (Manitoba) — The St. Jean Fire Department is a volunteer-based fire department dedicated to protecting the community and surrounding area in times of need. They are also very active in the community, volunteering at numerous events including the Annual St. Jean ATV Derby, one of the largest organized off-road rallies in Canada. The fire department is currently confronted with the pressing challenge of replacing their self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), which are no longer certified as the manufacturer has abruptly discontinued the sales and service of their SCBA lineup. Receiving $25,000 through Growing Home with BASF will help the department purchase new units to continue serving their community.
• Three Oaks Respite Cabin (Ontario) — Three Oaks Cabin was founded in 2022, following the sudden and tragic loss of Dalles Bergsma, who was a proud farmer and volunteer first responder in his rural Ontario community.  Three Oaks Cabin was created to provide a quiet place where farmers and first responders can find refuge from the stress and anxiety that accompanies their livelihoods. Three Oaks Cabin’s mission is to enhance and support the mental, emotional and spiritual well-being of individuals primarily involved in the agricultural and first responder communities who are struggling with stress and anxiety.

“The tight-knit communities represented in this program are the heartbeat of rural Canada,” said Leta LaRush, Vice President, Business Management at BASF. “In the second year of Growing Home with BASF, we were incredibly inspired by each organization nominated and the positive impact they have on their communities.” 

The Growing Home with BASF initiative was launched in Western Canada in 2023 to give back to the communities where BASF customers live, work and play. This year, the program expanded to include Ontario in addition to the prairie provinces. The $25,000 contribution from BASF to each of the winning organizations will help fund initiatives that promote the health and sustainability of rural communities.

“We’re thankful to work with growers and retail partners who are so passionate about their communities and we are excited to give back to each of the finalists for Growing Home with BASF this year. The outstanding participation in the program showcases how important these organizations are to the fabric of our rural and agricultural communities. As a committed partner in agriculture, we’re proud to help these communities grow and thrive through programs like Growing Home with BASF,” LaRush added.

For more information on Growing Home with BASF and the winning organizations, please visit agsolutions.ca/growinghome. BASF donates more than $350,000 each year to community-based initiatives supporting the organizations that its customers rely on. Learn more here: BASF | Community.

Growing Home with BASF 2024 Winner Testimonials:

“When we need our community, they are always there! To everyone who supported the Erskine Curling Rink, we truly thank you. And to BASF – your contributions to our small rural hamlet will forever be remembered!” - Erskine Curling Club

"Abbey is a small town with big heart and the support we received in this contest reiterates that. Our rink is the hub of the community in the winter and winning this contest means that we can make the necessary repairs to our plant to keep the doors open for years to come. We are so grateful to have been part of this campaign. Thank you, BASF!” - Abbey Curling Club

“We are honoured to be one of the winners of the Growing Home with BASF contest. This award will greatly add to our SCBA replacement project and help us to continue to provide emergency readiness for our community and surrounding area. We are extremely grateful for the support our community and surrounding area gave us during the voting process as we would not have been able to do this without them. We would like to say thank you to BASF & everyone who voted for us. THANK YOU!” - St. Jean Baptiste Volunteer Fire Department

“We are honoured to be the Ontario recipients of the 2024 Growing Home with BASF prize and are so grateful to our community for showing their support. This prize will directly support mental health programming for farmer and first responder guests at Three Oaks.” - Three Oaks Respite Cabin

About BASF’s Agricultural Solutions division

BASF Canada Agricultural Solutions, headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, has over 625 employees who work at one of three production facilities across Canada including: Lethbridge, Saskatoon, and Regina, or one of several research farms across the Canadian prairies. Agricultural Solutions is the largest division of BASF Canada Inc., working closely with the regional Agricultural Solutions team, collaborating on research and product development that benefits North American growers. To find out more about BASF Canada Agricultural Solutions, visit www.agsolutions.ca or follow us on X and Instagram.

Everything we do, we do for the love of farming. Farming is fundamental to provide enough healthy and affordable food for a rapidly growing population, while reducing environmental impacts. That’s why we are working with partners and experts to integrate sustainability criteria into all business decisions. With €944 million in 2023, we continue to invest in a strong R&D pipeline, combining innovative thinking with practical action in the field. Our solutions are purpose-designed for different crop systems. Connecting seeds and traits, crop protection products, digital tools and sustainability approaches, to help deliver the best possible outcomes for farmers, growers and our other stakeholders along the value chain. With teams in the lab, field, office and in production, we do everything in our power to build a sustainable future for agriculture. In 2023, our division generated sales of €10.1 billion. For more information, please visit www.agriculture.basf.com or our social media channels.

About BASF

BASF Canada, headquartered in Mississauga, Ontario, is a subsidiary of BASF SE and an affiliate of BASF Corporation. BASF has more than 1,100 employees in Canada. For more information about BASF Canada’s operations, visit www.basf.com/ca.

At BASF, we create chemistry for a sustainable future. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. Around 112,000 employees in the BASF Group contribute to the success of our customers in nearly all sectors and almost every country in the world. Our portfolio comprises six segments: Chemicals, Materials, Industrial Solutions, Surface Technologies, Nutrition & Care and Agricultural Solutions. BASF generated sales of €68.9 billion in 2023. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchange in Frankfurt (BAS) and as American Depositary Receipts (BASFY) in the United States. Further information at www.basf.com.

Media Relations contact

Kasia Kistelski

Phone: 403-589-8178

kasia.kistelski@basf.com

BASF Canada Inc.
28 Quarry Park Blvd
T2C 5P9 Calgary, AB
www.basf.com