Hometown Yield Challenge honours prairie growers for yields and community support
Nutrien Ltd. has announced the winners of the second Hometown Yield Challenge, a program created to encourage strong crop production while giving back to rural communities. The challenge was open to farmers in Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan and focused on both yield performance and community support.
Farmers who joined the program competed throughout the growing season to achieve top yields while following specific growing guidelines. Participants were required to map their field boundaries using Nutrien’s Echelon platform, grow at least 80 acres of a Proven Seed hybrid, and apply phosphorus treated with Loveland Products’ ATLAS XC. These steps helped ensure accurate field tracking and proper nutrient use while promoting healthy crop growth.
The top two farmers each earned $20,000 for a community organization of their choice. Three runners-up also earned $5,000 each for organizations important to their local areas. Through this program, Nutrien was able to support schools, housing foundations, and agricultural societies across the Prairie provinces.
The two grand prize winners were Derrick Farenick and Ian Korpan. Derrick Farenick selected the Lord Asquith School Breakfast Club in the North Saskatchewan Division to receive $20,000. Ian Korpan chose the Lavoy Action Society in the North Alberta Division to receive the same amount.
Three additional winners received runner-up awards. Brent Gillis selected Baldur School in Manitoba. Lyle, Trevor, and Dustin Farkash chose the Vermillion and District Housing Foundation in North Alberta. Mitch Kratchmer selected the Blackie and District Agricultural Society in South Alberta. Each of these community groups received $5,000.
“Thank you to all the farmers who participated in our second year of the Hometown Yield Challenge. We are very pleased with the results of this year’s challenge, and we’re excited to build upon last year’s success by supporting new community organizations selected by our winners,” said Jesse Hamonic, Vice President & Country Head for Nutrien’s Canada Retail operations.
“Involvement with and investing back into our communities is something that our team is passionate about, so it’s extremely rewarding to be able to team up with our farmers to make this happen.”
Nutrien leaders shared that the challenge allows farmers to use modern tools and trusted products to improve yields while protecting soil health. At the same time, the program strengthens rural communities by providing direct financial support to local groups that serve families, students, and producers.
The Hometown Yield Challenge shows how farming success can be combined with community care. By encouraging responsible farming practices and rewarding high performance, Nutrien continues to help Prairie farmers grow strong crops and support the people and organizations that make rural life stronger.
“We had a lot of great submissions for this year’s Hometown Yield Challenge and appreciate everyone who made this challenge part of their growing season. This challenge is a great way to see our field services and proprietary products in action and how these offerings can help deliver yield results without sacrificing the health of your acreage. All with the added bonus of doing some good for the community,” said Shelby LaRose, Crop Nutrition Product Manager and Co-Lead of the Hometown Yield Challenge.
Photo Credit: Hometown-Yield-Challenge