Farmers could win bragging rights and cash for community organizations in a new yield competition from Nutrien Ag Solutions.
“We wanted to create a way to promote our proprietary products that was different and fun for our customers,” said Derek Flad, agronomic innovation manager for the Southern Alberta Division of Nutrien Ag Solutions, in a release.
Flad is co-leading Nutrien Ag Solution’s Hometown Yield Challenge with Shelby LaRose, Crop Nutrition Product Manager for Canada.
Nutrien launched the program on February 2, and they are inviting farmers across western Canada to enroll in the challenge. The submission deadline is Friday, March 1.
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The challenge will run until November 2024, when harvest totals will be tallied and the two top-yielding growers will be awarded $20,000 to go to a local organization of their choice. The three second-place winners will each be awarded $5,000 to go to a local organization of their choice.
“Competition always gets people fired up, but creating a benefit for the communities that our growers live and work in will not only engage our growers but their neighbours as well,” said Flad.
Growers participating in the challenge will have to seed at least 80 acres and will be required to use a number of proprietary Nutrien products, the details of which can be found on Nutrien’s Hometown Yield Challenge web page.
In a media release, Jesse Hamonic, Nutrien Canada’s vice president and country lead, said programs like this, which put a focus on community, are an important component of the work they do.
“While Nutrien Ag Solutions is a large, global company, we really pride ourselves on our focus and commitment to connecting with the communities where our employees and customers live and work,” said Hamonic.
For those interested in following along, farmers will be invited to post photos throughout the challenge with the hashtag #NutrienHometownPride.
—Don Norman writes for the Manitoba Co-operator from Winnipeg.
