Growing our communities from the ground up

Event Media releases: 3 August 2021

Applications are now open for Nutrien Ag Solutions Community Grants Program, with grants of up to $5,000 available for not-for-profit organisations in remote, rural and regional Australia to deliver projects that contribute to the success and wellbeing of their communities.

Growing our communities from the ground up

The inaugural program, run in partnership with the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR), will see Nutrien Ag Solutions donate $250,000 annually to support community projects that can have a positive and potentially long-term effect on the wider community by:

  • Meeting a need or realising an opportunity, and
  • Contributing to the success, vibrancy, and wellbeing of the community.

Nutrien Ag Solutions Director of Government and Industry Affairs Carissa Buckland says the success of agriculture and the wellbeing of regional Australia are inextricably linked.

“There are unique challenges and incredible opportunities that go hand in hand with creating a life and a career in a country community,” says Ms Buckland.

“For Nutrien Ag Solutions, rural and regional Australia is more than a place to do business – it’s been our home for more than 180 years. Our support for country Australia extends beyond the farm to the communities that support agriculture.

“With a team of 4,000 experts across Australia, Nutrien Ag Solutions is a key part of the rural and regional communities in which we live and work. Like many in these communities, our team wear many hats – our agronomists are also rugby coaches, volunteer firefighters, on the BBQ at the school fundraiser or coordinating competitions at the local show. We want to build upon that existing connection in this program and ask applicants to get in touch with their local branch manager to endorse the project. 

“Nutrien Ag Solutions is proud to partner with our rural, regional and remote communities through the Community Grants Program to build their resilience, support them through the tough times and celebrate the joys of life in the bush,” says Ms Buckland.

FRRR CEO Natalie Egleton says this new partnership and grant program will help to ensure there is funding for grassroots solutions to local issues.

“We’ve worked closely with the Nutrien team to design this program so that the needs of the community are front and centre.

“Because every community is different, the program can fund a wide range of initiatives that strengthen and support the community. This could be anything from improving access to the local community hall by adding a ramp, creating a community garden to encourage people to engage and connect, or drive local tourism by hosting a local arts festival or delivering a community-based street art beautification project – whatever the local priorities are.

“I really look forward to reading the applications that come through,” Ms Egleton said.

Applications open 3 August 2021 and close 3 September 2021 with recipients announced October 2021. Detailed program guidelines and eligibility criteria can be found here.

Grantseeker workshop

UPDATE: Grantseeker workshop recording available to watch:

As this is a new program, community groups and not-for-profit organisations from remote, rural, and regional communities across Australia are invited to attend a free online grantseeker workshop. The interactive session will provide key program information and helpful tips on how to apply for a grant.

The workshop will take place on Tuesday, 10 August, 1:00pm to 2:30pm AEST.

Attendance is free, but people are asked to register at: https://events.humanitix.com/nutrien-ag-solutions-community-grant-grant-seeker-workshop.

For more information contact Danielle Griffin or Fiona Bradshaw at info@frrr.org.au or on 1800 170 020.