BASF provides $40,000 for farmers to "pay it forward" to their communities across Western Canada
InVigor® Community Challenge sees eight canola growers win a $5,000 donation in their name to local organization of their choosing
CALGARY, Alberta, December 21, 2020 – BASF Canada Agricultural Solutions (BASF) is giving back to communities across Western Canada this holiday season with a combined $40,000 donation made on behalf of growers to eight local organizations. The donation is part of BASF’s InVigor Community Challenge, an initiative that encouraged growers to share their experiences of growing InVigor canola in 2020 for the chance to win a $5,000 donation to a cause of their choosing.
“We wanted to find a way to recognize the significant contributions of farmers across the country who work tirelessly to support Canada’s agriculture sector,” said Brent Collins, Head of Canola Seeds, North America, BASF. “At BASF, we understand the deep connections farmers share with their communities, so in recognition of their hard work and resiliency, we are investing back into their local communities and the causes that matter most to them as a way to say thank you. Through the InVigor Community Challenge, we look forward to seeing these farming communities continue to grow and thrive.”
The InVigor Community Challenge—which ran this fall—generated entries from growers across British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, Western Canada’s prime canola-growing region. Eight winning recipients were selected, one from each canola-growing region, by random draw and each received a $5,000 donation in their name to their selected community initiative or organization as well as an InVigor-branded vest.
The chosen winners, and their respective organizations, include:
- Myles Iussier: Tulloch Memorial Arena, Aborfield, Sask.
- Brian Kostur Farms: Grand Plains Minor Hockey Association, Ashville, Man.
- Timik Farms: Camrose Boys & Girls Club, Camrose, Alta.
- DMG Grain Farm: Holden Agricultural Society, Holden, Alta.
- McLellan Family Farm: Holdfast Community Green Space, Holdfast, Sask.
- Vallotton Farms: Wawanesa wee Care Inc., Wawanesa, Man.
- Heebner Farms: Vanguard Fire Department, Vanguard, Sask.
- Wickstrom Farms: Vulcan & District Minor Hockey Association, Vulcan, Alta.
“I have high hopes for what is to come in my beautiful town…and a donation to our small community green space…will help strengthen our connectedness through gatherings (when safe to do so) and through pride in knowing a beautiful area belongs now to us all. Thank you.” – Ian McLellan, quote from contest entry.
Funding received through the program will support the above organizations in continuing to provide important services and resources to their citizens, from critical emergency services to recreational clubs, which foster belonging among youth. 2020 marks the first year of the InVigor Community Challenge and BASF looks forward to continuing and growing this program in the years to come. The InVigor Community Challenge is one of BASF’s 2020 Corporate Giving programs which combined saw more than $500,000 provided to support communities where BASF employees and customers live and work.
For more information on BASF Agricultural Solutions Canada, please visit www.agro.basf.ca.
About BASF’s Agricultural Solutions division:
With a rapidly growing population, the world is increasingly dependent on our ability to develop and maintain sustainable agriculture and healthy environments. Working with farmers, agricultural professionals, pest management experts and others, it is our role to help make this possible. That’s why we invest in a strong R&D pipeline and broad portfolio, including seeds and traits, chemical and biological crop protection, soil management, plant health, pest control and digital farming. With expert teams in the lab, field, office and in production, we connect innovative thinking and down-to-earth action to create real world ideas that work – for farmers, society and the planet. In 2019, our division generated sales of €7.8 billion. For more information, please visit www.agriculture.basf.com or any of our social media channels.
About BASF
BASF Corporation, headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, is the North American affiliate of BASF SE, Ludwigshafen, Germany. BASF has more than 18,800 employees in North America and had sales of $18.4 billion in 2019. For more information about BASF’s North American operations, visit www.basf.com/us.
At BASF, we create chemistry for a sustainable future. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. More than 117,000 employees in the BASF Group work on contributing to the success of our customers in nearly all sectors and almost every country in the world. Our portfolio is organized into six segments: Chemicals, Materials, Industrial Solutions, Surface Technologies, Nutrition & Care and Agricultural Solutions. BASF generated sales of €59 billion in 2019. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchange in Frankfurt (BAS) and as American Depositary Receipts (BASFY) in the U.S. Further information at www.basf.com.
Media Relations Contact
Tabetha Boot
403-461-1253
BASF Canada Inc.
510 - 28 Quarry Park Blvd SE
T2C 5P9 Calgary, AB