Partnering to Raise the Bar
In rural towns across Canada, agriculture retailers are proving that their role goes far beyond supplying seed, crop protection products, and services to their farmers. Through Raise the Barn, a community-building initiative by WinField United® Canada, these retailers are stepping up to address pressing local needs, proving that community care is just as important as crop care.
Raise the Barn is more than a contest. It’s a platform for ag retailers to showcase their leadership, compassion, and commitment to the communities they serve. And the results speak for themselves.
Mental Health Support in Souris, MB
In 2024, Redfern Farm Services partnered with the Westman Mental Wellness and Suicide Prevention Association to launch a rural counselling initiative. With the $30,000 grand prize from Raise the Barn, they were able to expand professional mental health services to underserved communities in southwest Manitoba, including Carberry, Glenboro, Hartney, and Souris.
The initiative has brought in multiple counselling providers, including Home Counselling and Wellness from Brandon and Sana Art Therapy and Counselling Services from Souris. Awareness of the program has spread quickly by word of mouth, and counsellors reported a busy summer filled with appointments for children, adolescents, and adults alike.
“We’re figuring things out as we go,” said Dennis Lonsdale, Souris Location Manager with Redfern Farm Services. “But the passion behind this project is strong. We’ve built something that’s helping people, and now we’re focused on keeping it going.”
The project not only delivered vital services, but it has also sparked a broader conversation about mental health in rural Manitoba.
Playgrounds for Youth in Rose Valley, SK
In Saskatchewan, ProSoils partnered with the School Community Council in Rose Valley on a project that supports mental health in the youngest members of their community. The local playground, over 25 years old and in need of replacement, was transformed thanks to ProSoils’ Raise the Barn entry and local community support.
The Raise the Barn prize helped secure the 50% deposit required to begin construction, and the community rallied to support the remainder. Today, the playground is fully built and buzzing with activity.
“It’s been amazing to see the kids’ excitement,” said Kelsey Grisdale, Vice President - Ag Retail with ProSoils. “They watched the playground go up piece by piece, and now they have a safe, fun space to play and connect.”
The Playground Committee is now working on fundraising to cover the remaining costs and plans to install a fundraising sign to finish off the project and celebrate the community’s achievement.
Inclusive Recreation in Legal, AB
Sturgeon Valley Fertilizers, alongside Legal Lion’s Club, focused their Raise the Barn project on inclusivity. Their vision: a sports facility that welcomes everyone, regardless of ability. With their prize money, they installed specialized Sledge Hockey glass in the players’ benches and penalty box of the new SVF Sports Centre.
Though the facility hasn’t officially opened yet, anticipation is high. The grand opening is scheduled for October 3–4, 2025, with the first sledge hockey game taking place on October 4.
“We want this to be a space where everyone feels included,” said Carol Tremblay, Office Administrator with Sturgeon Valley Fertilizers. “It’s about more than sports; it’s about building community spirit.”
The SVF Sports Centre is set to become a hub for recreation, connection, and education in Legal, Alberta.
Feeding Minds in Ontario
In Eastern Canada, Sylvite, in collaboration with Social Impact Games, launched the Kids Feeding Kids Challenge, a creative initiative that empowers children to combat hunger through engaging, community-driven online challenges that also support mental health and education. Local schools and families participate by playing an online game where social challenges, ranging from acts of kindness to environmental stewardship, directly result in meal donations for peers in need. With 15 retail locations across Ontario, Sylvite used the Raise the Barn platform to engage youth in addressing hunger while promoting mental health and education.
Since winning the Raise the Barn prize, two successful programs have been launched, one in Halton and one in Kingston, with both groups returning this fall to continue their efforts to turn good deeds into meal donations for local food banks. The Kingston Construction Cares initiative was especially notable, marking the first-ever Corps vs. Kids Impact Game, which brought together students and community members in a shared mission of kindness and giving.
“The Raise the Barn funding was instrumental in deploying advanced technology that created a safe and inclusive ecosystem for participants,” said Michelle Cochrane, Marketing Manager with Sylvite. “This allowed students and community members to interact and play alongside one another, fostering empathy and collaboration.”
The impact has been remarkable. Over 3,000 meals were generated for children in need across Halton and Kingston, while participants learned valuable lessons in kindness, compassion, and community responsibility. It’s a powerful example of how ag retailers can work with partners to inspire the next generation to lead with empathy and action.
Looking ahead, Social Impact Games has exciting plans to partner with school-related charities through a platform called Double the Difference. This model allows donors not only to provide meals for children but also to support programs that teach other kids to be kinder and more compassionate, doubling the impact of every contribution.
Raise the Barn 2025
Raise the Barn 2025 is now open for entries, inviting eligible agriculture retailers across Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Ontario to bring forward their most impactful community project ideas in the areas of mental health, hunger, education, or community spirit.
Each eligible retail location may submit one entry, so gather your team and start planning! Be sure to review the contest FAQs for helpful tips and guidelines.
Four round one winners will each receive $10,000 to bring their projects to life. New for 2025, this includes a Wild Card winner selected from the highest-scoring entry not already chosen as a regional winner.
Even if you aren’t submitting an entry, be sure to mark your calendar for the voting period November 12–26, 2025. Your vote can help decide who wins the additional $20,000 Grand Prize to expand their project’s reach and impact.
Enter Now, Make Lasting Change
Whether the project is focused on mental health, hunger, community spirit, or education, retailers are turning local needs into lasting change. That sentiment echoes through every story shared by past Raise the Barn winners; these projects show how deeply ag retailers care about the communities they serve.
Check out the Raise the Barn website for full contest details, rules, and project inspiration, and complete your entry form today!
