Lallemand’s 2026 Hometown Roots Contest is investing $15,000 in rural Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Alberta projects that support community development, emergency preparedness and local heritage preservation.
Lallemand Plant Care provides $5,000 donations to three rural community projects in Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Alberta through the 2026 Hometown Roots Contest. The winning entries reflect the strong connections between agriculture, local residents, and community development.
In Macklin, Sask., Saskatchewan winner Darlene Kidd chose to direct the prize toward an emergency shelter project at the Villa Marie Assisted Living Facility. The funding will help the community raise money for a generator that could provide emergency shelter for residents and people from the surrounding rural area.
"The funds will help us raise money for a generator to provide a community shelter in case of an emergency. It's not just for the residents who live there, but for the entire community and rural countryside, including agricultural-based families," said Kidd.
Kidd said the project was a natural choice because the entire community is involved in fundraising.
"The whole community is fundraising for this. It's a community-wide project, and I didn't even have to think about where the prize funds should go. It's the whole town pulling together to make this happen."
"Humongous thank you to Lallemand for running such a wonderful incentive. The community thanks you, not just me."
"The Hometown Roots Contest is about celebrating the people who make rural communities special and helping them give back in meaningful ways," said Anne Favre, Strategic Marketing Director – USA & Canada, Lallemand Plant Care.
"We're proud that Darlene's winning entry will help support a project that benefits the entire Macklin community," Favre added.
In Laurier, Man., Manitoba winner Charlene Saquet selected the Laurier Community Centre as the recipient of her $5,000 prize. The volunteer-run centre will use the contribution for ongoing expenses and planned improvements, including exterior insulation and siding.
"This donation will help keep the community centre open and in good shape, which is very exciting," said Saquet. "It's all volunteer-run, and the fundraisers the hall does go towards paying monthly bills, maintenance, and repairs. It's really hard to get extra money to put towards renovations."
"The Hometown Roots photo contest is a great way to support smaller, rural communities, and we really appreciate Lallemand providing this opportunity," Saquet added.
In Alberta, winner Apinya Roy selected the St. Jean Baptiste Historical Society to receive $5,000. The donation will support restoration of a historic site linked to early settlers and help promote local historical tourism.
"This donation will help support the restoration and preservation of an important historic site in Alberta that marks the beginnings of the early settlers who established this community. It will also help promote historical tourism," said Roy.
"Our ancestors laid the foundation for the farming communities we have today. Supporting projects like this helps preserve our history while strengthening the communities that continue to grow because of agriculture," said Roy.
"We are deeply grateful to Lallemand for supporting the St. Jean Baptiste Historical Society and rural communities across Canada through the Hometown Roots Contest," Roy added.
Photo Credit: lallemand-plant-care