The Battle River Ag Society has been operating since its incorporation in 1933. They host the oldest and largest annual amateur rodeo in Alberta, entertaining over 1,000 spectators during three days of rodeo competitions. The annual Manning rodeo weekend provides local community groups the chance to fundraise and participate through operating food concessions and other services. In addition to the numerous buildings and rodeo facilities, the Battle River Ag Society owns and operates the largest community hall in our area which hosts multiple functions including Farmers Markets, weddings, funerals, fundraisers, meetings and many more events. The facilities and events are all taken care of by a tireless group of dedicated board members and volunteers! Many are the same business owners, donating their time and resources to keep the facilities and grounds functioning. As the buildings age, the ability to keep them modern and accessible to everyone can be a challenge. If Battle River Ag Society won the Growing Home prize, it would greatly benefit the entire community by keeping the facilities accessibility safely updated, and allowing the annual event to continue for years to come!

The ADAS has been a cornerstone of our rural community for generations. Last year the ADAS hosted events on 57 different days, all fully planned and operated by volunteers. Programming included cornhole leagues, harvest dinners, gymkhana and equine events, cake nights, First Aid and PAL, beach volleyball, and other community-focused activities. The Gymkhana program averages 30–40 riders per event. During the teachers’ strike, the Society supported local families by offering 12 days of affordable programming, serving 87 children and providing reliable care when it was needed most. In 2026, ADAS is launching a community garden project focused on food security and education, with produce shared within the community and local support programs. Winning this prize would support facility improvements, volunteer-led programming, and initiatives like the community garden.

Trochu Seniors Housing Society is a volunteer organization that is committed to raising funds for equipment and furnishings for the new Trochu Seniors Housing complex currently under construction. This new 70 unit complex will house supportive living, lodge and independent living, replacing the aging St. Mary’s facility. Our new complex will serve not only the residents of the Town of Trochu, Three Hills, Torrington, Rumsey, Huxley, and Elnora, but our surrounding rural counties, including Kneehill County, Starland County and Red Deer County and beyond. This facility will allow our residents to age in place in the communities that they helped build and prosper. The goal is to fundraise 2 million dollars for the equipment and furnishings for the facility. Being selected for the BASF Growing Home award would create a lasting impact for our community and give back to the farmers and the community as a whole, who have been here for generations. We are sincerely grateful to have had the opportunity to become one of three finalists in the Growing Home with BASF 2026 program. We would like to thank any retailer(s) and farmers who nominated the Trochu Senior Housing Society to be eligible to receive this prize. Many community individuals will call this place HOME!!!!

The Line 19 Childcare Centre is a non-profit organization fundraising $2,000,000 to build a brand new Childcare Centre. The board was created in 2024 after families across Elbow, Loreburn, Strongfield, Hawarden, Mistusinne, and surrounding rural areas identified the need for safe, reliable, high-quality childcare. Lack of licensed care adds stress to agriculture families, delays spouses returning to work, and forces long commutes. Approved for 48 spaces in June 2025, the Centre will start construction Summer 2026. The Centre will be a modern facility focused on children’s learning, safety, and well-being. Agriculture has long been the community cornerstone, and the Childcare Centre will allow families to continue to contribute to the agriculture industry both on farm and at the retail level. The BASF Growing Home prize would accelerate construction and deliver lasting benefits for children, families, and rural agriculture.

For 36 years the Villa Marie Assisted Living Board have provided a safe, assisted living facility for seniors who have lived in our community for their entire lives but can now not care for themselves. Nearly all residents maintain an agricultural base through their income and family connections. The major project for this year is the installation of a generator costing $154,000. Currently $105,000 has been raised. The Villa Marive is funded by rental income and emergency funding from five local municipalities. Previous to COVID, in a major power outage, residents could be housed in St. Joseph's Health Centre. This option is no longer available. Therefore, the Villa Marie must install their own backup system. This amenity intends to provide for their residents, those at-home who are oxygen-dependent, and for young families who have no emergency heating in their homes thus making Villa Marie our Community Safe Spot.

The Pense Beautification Committee, founded in 2025, aims to enhance community safety, walkability, and appearance. In 2026, the committee will focus on two connected initiatives. First, it will establish a larger community garden to replace the current undersized space. The garden will support food education with the Pense School and Recreation Committee, provide fresh produce for residents, and supply local facilities including the new daycare. Second, the committee will improve walkability by connecting the existing walking path to the new subdivision, ball diamond, and key town facilities such as the daycare, school, rink, parks, and businesses. Added crosswalks and edible landscaping will promote safety—especially for children—and encourage outdoor activity.

Park150 began in summer 2023 and broke ground in October 2024 as a community-led project to create the first publicly accessible green space in the hamlet of Woodlands, in celebration of the municipality’s 150th anniversary in 2030. The project provides educational, recreational, and accessible outdoor space for children, youth, seniors, families, Indigenous peoples, and visitors, featuring tall grass prairie, aspen forest, edible and ornamental gardens, and tributes to veterans and community builders. Since its inception, Park150 has engaged the community through open houses, tree planting events, and fundraising initiatives, including a groundbreaking funded entirely by local businesses. Receiving $25,000 would directly support the 2026 phase, helping construct the accessible walking path, central courtyard, and tall grass prairie, creating a safe, sustainable, and inclusive space that fosters community pride, connection, and long-term environmental stewardship.

The Shamrock Centre is a 78,000 square foot multi-purpose recreation facility that is open year-round. The Centre houses a bowling alley, arena, curling rink, fitness center, community hall, boardroom, canteen and lounge. The Centre is being used by the majority of families in the community almost every day of the year. The Shamrock Centre provides spaces for recreation programming, special events, sports such as minor hockey, high school hockey, figure skating rec hockey and the T HHL men’s hockey league, curling, children's programming, fitness classes, public meeting spaces, community gatherings, free indoor walking and much more. We are now in our 15th year of operation and have faced significant challenges with our ice plant. We are in a position where the plant needs to be replaced at a cost of over $2,000,000 and significant funds need to be raised to make that happen. Being chosen as a recipient of the BASF Growing Home award would help us kickstart those fundraising efforts.

The Springfield Agricultural Society (SAS) is central in building community connection, agricultural awareness, and rural pride in the Rural Municipality of Springfield and surrounding areas. Through the annual Springfield Country Fair, the Society provides a welcoming, family-friendly space where residents of all ages come together to celebrate local agriculture, food production, and rural life.

The fair showcases exhibits in horticulture, baking, homecrafts, photography, and quilting, giving residents a platform to share skills, traditions, and creativity. In addition to exhibits, the SAS organizes inclusive activities such as children’s games, live entertainment, tractor pulls, and educational demonstrations that help connect urban families with farming and food systems.

The SAS is a volunteer driven nonprofit. The SAS strengthens social ties, supports local producers and sustains the fabric of our rural municipality. As parents, Canadian citizens and farmers we know the real-life challenges of a dwindling relationship between people and agriculture. It’s not a well-supported industry in Canada yet we have massive potential as a country to provide high quality food to the nation.

This potential relies on solid agricultural communities as a starting point. We need new farmers to have a supportive start; we need the public to have meaningful ways to connect with Manitoban agriculture and to be educated about their food supply chain. Springfield Ag Society has done this for decades but needs resources to continue!

1st Beamsville Scouting positively impacts the local rural community by fostering youth development, teamwork, and leadership through outdoor, hands-on activities. Established in 1910, it promotes community service, environmental stewardship, and social connection, creating a safe, inclusive environment for youth to grow. The prize would help securing funding for an outdoor pavilion and storage, to grow the program for generations to come. Key Impacts on the Community:

• Youth Development: Provides outdoor adventures, hiking, and camping that teach youth skills for life.
• Community Connection: Brings people together and encourages service, such as local environmental cleanups or community projects.
• Safe Haven: Offers a dedicated space for children to socialize, be creative, and just be themselves, fostering confidence and social skills.
• Mentorship: Dedicated adult volunteers play a crucial role in mentoring youth, providing positive role models that support the next generation.

For nearly 70 years, the Norwich District Curling Club has supported the rural and agricultural community of Norwich not only through sport, but by serving as a trusted gathering place for farmers and agri-business. The Club provides a reliable venue for grower pesticide training and testing, helping ensure local producers stay certified, compliant, and informed. BASF has partnered with us at these events, supporting growers with chemical gloves, mixing containers, and other practical resources that reinforce safe product stewardship. As the Club undertakes a major ice surface modernization project in 2026 — funded largely through volunteer labour and future membership commitments — a $25,000 BASF Growing Home grant would directly strengthen a facility that plays an active role in supporting local agriculture and the farmers who depend on it. Beyond curling, the club supports local food drives and clothing donations, strengthening the social fabric of the region. Its membership reflects the diversity of the agricultural and rural economy, including farmers, agri-business owners, tradespeople, educators, and healthcare professionals.

The Petrolia Community Refrigerator (PCR) has been serving the community for four years. It supports food security for individuals who fall through the gaps of traditional food banks and offers a 24/7 fridge and cupboard accessible to anyone in need. Twice a month, dedicated volunteers support individuals with intellectual disabilities in preparing healthy meals for those less fortunate, while also helping them build valuable cooking skills.

This organization has become a model for many other communities looking to establish their own community refrigerators. PCR collaborates with local farms, food banks, community and school food drives and service clubs to deliver essential support to those who need it most. In addition, PCR rescues thousands of pounds of food each year through a program called Second Harvest from local businesses that would otherwise go to waste in landfills. The initiative is powered by an incredible group of 50 volunteers who contribute hundreds of hours to help feed and nourish the community.