Farms.com Home   Ag Industry News

Canadian Ag Real Estate Biz Donates to Foodgrains Bank

Canadian Ag Real Estate Biz Donates to Foodgrains Bank

By Andrew Joseph, Farms.com

Doing its part to combat the pain of global hunger, farm real estate company FarmOntario personnel are donating a portion of their broker commissions to the Canadian Foodgrains Bank.

Four of the brokers who specialize in agriculture land sales with FarmOntario are taking part in the creative initiative as a means for the non-farming ag community segment to become more involed globally.

Citing how fortunate he is to be a part of Canada’s agricultural community, FarmOntario co-owner Phil Spoelstra and donor, said it is important to give back to the global community, especially during the time of the Covid-19 pandemic affecting the planet.

He felt that Canadians have been lucky to live in a place where we are able to produce and have access to healthy foods, and it isn’t the case in other parts of the world where they lack the agricultural security Canada has.

Spoelstra said that despite his own spiritual beliefs, he is aware that corporate social responsibility is often keen in the eye of the public, but that the motivation to want should never be to change someone’s view of a company, but rather act as a means of saying thanks for what one already has.

He said that the whole team at FarmOntario was eager to do their part as well by donating monies to such a worthwhile cause.

Photo by Samuel Regan-Asante on Unsplash


Trending Video

Veteran Farmers: A Legacy of Service in Rural America

Video: Veteran Farmers: A Legacy of Service in Rural America

Veterans Day is a time to honor the men and women who have selflessly protected our freedoms and values. And for some, the transition from military service to civilian life brings them back to the farm.

At Farm Bureau, we believe it’s important to not only celebrate veterans but also those who continue to make a difference in agriculture and their community. We've partnered with Farm Credit to establish the Veteran Farmer Award of Excellence to shine a light on those who have continued to go above and beyond to serve their communities.

This year, we recognize retired Colonel Joe Ricker as the inaugural Veteran Farmer Award of Excellence winner. Joe served over 30 years in the Army before retiring from the Pentagon and completing tours in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Since leaving the Army, his commitment to excellence in farming and enriching the lives of veterans has blossomed in a myriad of ways in both his local community of Wilkinson, Indiana, and across the country. Joe grows apples and raises bees on his farm in Indiana. Joe founded “Veterans IN Farming,” an organization, now with more than 1,100 members, dedicated to providing veterans in Indiana with the tools and training to succeed in agriculture.

The American Farm Bureau Federation is an independent, non-governmental, voluntary organization, comprised of and directed by farm and ranch families who engage in all types of food, fuel and fiber production.