by CONNIE TABBERT
Editor
M & R Feeds and Farm Supply in Pembroke is pleased the community supported its bid to be the Eastern Region winner in the Thank-A-Retailer Community Contest hosted by Adama Agricultural Solutions Canada Ltd.
However, the company isn’t the only winner in this area. The Muskrat Watershed Council and the Robbie Dean Family Counselling Foundation will share the $15,000 prize.
The on-line only contest ran for three weeks, with the announcement of the four winners Wednesday morning, Feb. 13.
M & R Feeds and Farm Supply in Pembroke won the $15,000 earning 1,284,425 points. The other three regional retailers were: Olds Fertilizers and Sundre Soil Services in Olds, AB earned 388,750 points; Horizon Fertilizer in Bruno, Sk earned 902,850 points and SJ Agronomy Services Inc. in Miami, MB earned 2,145,500 points..
Karen Coulas, chair of the Muskrat Watershed Council, nominated M & R Feeds to participate in the contest.
In the nomination of M & R Feeds, it was noted there are 24 full-time staff in three locations. The company has made it their mission to go above and beyond to provide for the local farming community as a one-stop shop from planting to harvest. “The business offers quality agricultural, farm, pet, lawn and garden supplies/products at fair prices. Along with this comes outstanding customer service and knowledgeable staff to help you find the hard to find items for your farm.”
It also stated, “This funding would allow M & R Feeds the ability to help the physical environment as well as the social environment in the area. Both ensuring a prosperous future for Renfrew County.”
Liam Clifford, co-owner of M & R Feed Supply, said he’s waiting to answer a “skill-testing question” before they can win. He said, with a slight chuckle, while it says M & R Feeds is a winner, in the fine-print it was noted to win they had to answer a question.
Mr. Clifford recalled that Ms. Coulas approached M & R about nominating them for the contest.
“We thought it was a very good thing,” he said. “We’re very happy someone nominated us so we could give back to the community.”
It was decided if they won, the winnings would be split between Muskrat Watershed Council and the Robbie Dean Family Counselling Centre in Pembroke, Mr. Clifford said. The two organizations are a great value to the area, he said.
“They both fit in the agriculture community and the community as a whole,” he said. “There certainly seems to be, over the past few years, people opening up about mental health and other aspects that the Robbie Dean Centre helps with.
“The Muskrat Watershed is, of course, dealing with things that are directly impacted by agriculture.”
Ms. Coulas was quite excited, and happy, when she heard M & R Feeds and Farm Supply was the Eastern Region winner.
While it hasn’t yet been decided where all the funds will be spent, some will be spent on the planting of native trees and plants on property in the fall and a few other projects, which are currently in the research stages.
Jodi Starodub from Adama Agricultural Solutions Canada Ltd. said this year’s contest exceeded all expectations.
“We’ve been floored by the amount of participation and want to thank every single ag retail nominee and community member who took part,” she said, adding, “It’s been inspiring to see our communities come together so strongly in support of a common cause.”
