FCC seeks nominations for community awards
Farm Credit Canada is accepting applications from registered charities and non-profit organizations in rural Canada for the FCC AgriSpirit Fund.
The fund will award $1.5 million this year to celebrate Canada’s 150th anniversary.
The application deadline is April 17, and FCC will announce the selected projects in August.
The crown corporation has presented $5,000 to $25,000 to rural community groups for the past 14 years for community improvement initiatives such as buying equipment for emergency services and recreation centres to building care homes and playgrounds.
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FCC has supported more than 1,000 capital projects in rural Canada totalling $10.5 million in donations since the program began in 2004.
For more information, visit www.fccagrispiritfund.ca.
Program honours agri-retailers
ADAMA Canada has selected four agri-retailers to receive grand prizes of $15,000 each to donate to worthy causes in their communities.
The organization launched its inaugural #ThankARetailer contest in November and recently announced the winners:
- Eastern Canada: Huron Perth Ag Service Inc., Woodham, Ont.
- Manitoba: Foster Ag. Services, Arborg, Man.
- Saskatchewan: Richardson Pioneer, Strasbourg, Sask.
- Alberta & British Columbia: Bashaw Crop Services, Bashaw, Alta.
The contest encouraged Canadians to nominate agri-retailers that make an outstanding contribution to their community and then vote for them online to improve their chances of winning. More than 220,000 votes were cast for 52 nominated retailers, many of which garnered significant support through social media. Several local newspapers also featured their town’s nominee to help spread awareness and rally votes.
For more information, visit ThankARetailer.ca.
New Calgary Stampede president named
David Sibbald has been named president and chair of the Calgary Stampede board.
Sibbald is also president of the Canadian Angus Association and will remain in that position until the association’s June 10 annual general meeting in Brandon. He will serve as Stampede president until 2019.
Sibbald, his wife, Mary Beth, and sons Dylan and Adam operate SSS Red Angus. They also maintain a commercial cow-calf operation complemented by their seed stock herd bulls. He was elected to the Canadian Angus Association board in 2013 and the Calgary Stampede board in 2009.
Alta. program helps small businesses
Small businesses and aspiring entrepreneurs in rural Alberta will have new support to start and expand their businesses through the Community and Regional Economic Support program.
Community Futures Network of Alberta will receive $109,887 to help entrepreneurs turn their ideas for products or services into a business.
The funding will help add new components to training workshops and video segments focusing on new business communications strategies. Funds will also go toward improving the BizStream program, which provides information and mentoring to rural Alberta businesses. The program will run from April 1 to May 31.
For more information, visit www.jobsplan.alberta.ca.
Food showcase planned for U.S.
Canadian companies in the retail and food service industries are invited to promote their products at Taste of Canada Showcase 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts, June 5-6.
The agri‑food forum is organized by the Canadian Trade Com-missioner Service, in partnership with the provinces. Canadian suppliers will have an opportunity to meet with pre‑screened United States importers, buyers and distributors.
