Farmers in the Ste Rose area looking to contribute towards the construction of a basketball court in that community now have an avenue in which they can do so.
Project committee member Shelly Brunel says they have talked with several producers who wanted to donate to the project, and so they have created a Producer Challenge.
"A producer can donate the proceeds of five acres of any crop that they have grown, to our court project. And then they will be honoured with signage that will be up at the site as being part of this challenge and receive a charitable donation receipt as well."
Brunel says the idea for the challenge originated from a Field of Dreams project that they have done.
"To kick our fundraising off last year, Derek Brunel and David Hopfner each donated 70 acres of their own land, and then got donations of inputs before growing the crops for our project. We have harvested both of those crops and are just in the process of selling those crops, and the proceeds will be donated to our basketball project."
She adds the response from the local farming community has been very good so far.
"We have had our first producer donate to the challenge. Shelton and Kristi Kehler are from our area, which is great. So they have kicked things off for us and are helping spread the word."
Farmers interested in taking part can contact either Derek Brunel at 204-648-3174, or David Hopfner at 204-647-7619.
Shelly adds they hope they can break ground on the $300,000 basketball court project before year's end, and have it opened in 2024.
