Syngenta donates to rural Food Banks

Dec 24, 2020

15 percent of individuals served by a food bank are from rural areas

Agriculture giant Syngenta showed it has a big heart by concluding 2020 with a $20,000 donation to help bring technology to food banks, as well as to Ag in the classroom.

Syngenta is the founding sponsor of the Food Bank Canada Rural Support Program in 2020. It’s year end donation, combines with its donation at the beginning of the pandemic, to make Syngenta’s total contributions reach more than $900,000 since the program’s inception.

“We are grateful for long-term partners who help us work towards our vision of a Canada where no one goes hungry,” said Chief Food Banks Canada Executive Officer Chris H Hatch.

Food Bank statistics related to rural communities:

Did you know that 49% of affiliates with Food Bank Canada are in rural areas?
Did you know that last year 15% of individuals served by a food bank were from rural areas?
Did you know that 34% of Food bank visits are made for children?
Did you know that lack of technology is one of the impediments for some of the food banks? As a result, Food banks Canada is currently implementing a new program called Link2Feed, which is a cloud-based solution that collects real-time data on food bank use.

“It’s fitting to continue our partnership with Food Banks Canada, because 20 years ago in November we launched Syngenta with the rural initiative. For the past 20 years, we have been passionately focused on our customers, and part of that means we support the communities where they live and farm,” says Trevor Heck, President of Syngenta Canada.

Video: California Farm Bureau 2025 Farm Dog of the Year Contest Winner - Willy - CAFB 107th Annual Meeting

Meet Willy: California Farm Bureau’s 2025 Farm Dog of the Year!

We’re excited to introduce Willy, a miniature long-haired dachshund with a big heart and even bigger courage, and the Grand Prize winner of this year’s Farm Dog of the Year Contest!

Willy may be small, but he’s become an indispensable partner on owner Marshal Hagedorn’s forestry and cattle operations in Shasta, Tehama, and Siskiyou counties. Adopted in 2023, he quickly found his place on the ranch, helping manage critters, tagging along for long days in the woods, and offering unwavering companionship during demanding logging work.

Willy has even taken naturally to moving cattle, surprising calves (and more than a few full-grown cows!) with his burst of energy from the tall grass. As Marshal put it: “He goes with me everywhere every single day.”

Congratulations to Willy and his family, a perfect example of how every good farm dog, no matter the size, helps keep California agriculture running strong.