The long-running Cash for Communities programme from PGG Wrightson and Ballance Agri-Nutrients financially contributes to schools, clubs, charities and community groups, helping support rural communities nationwide.
Cash for Communities offers an easy way for farmers, growers and contractors to give back to causes close to their hearts. Last spring contributions raised $121,000, making a difference to 296 organisations. Popular recipients were rescue helicopters, Rural Support Trust, Cancer Society, schools, sports clubs and fire brigades.
Three farmers share the organisations they donated to, with each purchasing qualifying Ballance Agri-Nutrients fertiliser and selected agrichemicals during spring 2023 through PGG Wrightson.
Naginder Singh and his wife Baljinder own and oversee Nagra Farms which incorporates five dairy units located in Gordonton, Waikato. Their two sons Ravi and Sunny each manage one of the farms. With a total herd of approximately 2,000 cows, spring is a busy time on farm. Growing mainly maize, the team at Nagra Farms are applying fertiliser and spraying paddocks before sowing new crops. Purchasing Ballance Agri-Nutrients fertiliser and agrichemicals through PGG Wrightson, Naginder nominated a cause important to him through Cash for Communities and found the process easy.
"I chose the Cancer Society Waikato/Bay of Plenty as I lost my mother three years ago to cancer. I know firsthand the services the Cancer Society provides. They do great work supporting a lot of people that are struggling.
“I have also lost friends to cancer and the Cancer Society supported the families, giving them a helping hand, which enabled my friends to be able to remain at home rather than have to go into care,” says Naginder.
The ease of being able to nominate is a plus according to Naginder. “There’s no hassle. We just complete our normal farming operation and then nominate a cause to receive a donation and it goes to them without us having to do anything.”
In Swannanoa, Canterbury, Spray Contractors Peter and Andrew Gilchrist own and operate Gilchrist Brothers. They also own a mixed cropping operation while fattening lambs and winter-feeding dairy cows.
Having completed soil testing to understand what nutrients are missing from paddocks, Peter says they apply Ballance Agri-Nutrients fertiliser over spring. The brothers purchase all their fertiliser and agrichemical requirements through the Rangiora PGG Wrightson store managed by Mark Harden.
“The store team are a great help and it was at the store that Mark discussed Cash for Communities with me and encouraged me to get involved,” says Peter.
“I nominated Swannanoa School. The family has had a long history and close ties to the school with my father and brother Andrew previously attending along with my niece. My two boys are at the school now and are joined by my nephews. My wife and I will have another one starting later next year.”
An important part of the local community, Peter says he contributes to Swannanoa School in other ways too, including donating to major fundraisers and helping out at the annual fair. The opportunity to donate through Cash for Communities provided an easy way of contributing to the school as Peter shares.
“All I needed to do was purchase what I needed for the farm and as a benefit, the school received financial help. It is a win-win!”
Antony is the fifth generation of the Robertson family to manage Leedsvale Farm. Near Tapanui in Southland, Antony has lived on the arable farm since 2001 when he returned from overseas.
Leedsvale Farm has 400 ha incorporating both cropping and lamb fattening. Wheat and oats are mostly grown along with some peas. In spring, Antony says there is a lot happening on-farm.
“We are drilling spring oats into paddocks, plus we have autumn planted wheat and oats which require fertiliser applications including potash, phosphorus and sulphur. It is also a busy time for monitoring the crops and spraying for pests and diseases as required.”
Antony purchases Ballance Agri-Nutrients fertiliser and his agrichemical products from the PGG Wrightson Gore store managed by Murray Johnston.
“Murray and the team at the Gore store are very friendly and helpful; I appreciate the level of support I receive from the team.”
Through the Gore store team, Antony was introduced to Cash for Communities. He chose to donate to St John West Otago.
“St John is a vital link in a community, especially for those living rurally. If we lost this service, then people would have to travel a long distance to receive medical care. There are a lot of volunteers who give their time to St John, so it is important to support them and any financial help we can give is a bonus,” says Antony.
“I found donating to St John through Cash for Communities simple. I just purchased Ballance Agri-Nutrients fertiliser and agrichemicals as needed over spring and the money went to St John without me having to do anything.”
Looking to spring 2024, PGG Wrightson, Ballance Agri-Nutrients and participating agrichemical suppliers want to help build on the $821,000 raised since 2011 through Cash for Communities. Ask at your local PGG Wrightson store this spring how to nominate a cause close to your heart.
