Growing our communities from the ground up

Events, 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.

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Amy Crawford

Amy Crawford has an extensive career in complex public policy and its intersection across government and communities.

Amy is the Chief Executive Officer at the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA), representing 537 councils across the nation. Amy holds over 20 years’ experience in the Australian Public Service. She has a deep understanding of federal government policies and structures, with over 10 years’ service in the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet and has worked for the federal Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories. Amy has shaped a wide range of policies and programs including regional development, telecommunications, immigration, emergency management, social policy and pandemic preparation.

Amy is a Board Director of Austroads and represents ALGA on the Public Skills Australia Industry Advisory Group, and the Australia-New Zealand Emergency Management Committee. She is also a Board Director for the Canberra Youth Theatre which provides voice for Canberra’s youth through intelligent and challenging theatre.

Amy holds a Bachelor of Laws (honours) and Bachelor of Arts (Media and Communications) from the University of Queensland, is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and an alumnus of the Cranlana Centre for Ethical Leadership. Amy was appointed to the FRRR Board in January 2025.

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Kylie Hansen

Kylie brings leadership and management experience from across academic, corporate, not-for-profit, social enterprise and impact investment sectors, having deep dived into a myriad of specialisations and systems. Her six tertiary qualifications are equally as diverse and complimentary, covering commerce, politics, international development, community development, project management and law. Her breadth and depth of experience enables her to draw on a number of disciplines and innovative ways of working and thinking, and she is well recognised as consistently delivering work and services of a high quality.

Kylie uses her strong background in sustainability, governance and impact measurement to support collaborative initiatives across sectors oriented at improving social outcomes, and to support socially conscientious businesses to articulate their social impact. As founder and director at Impact Seed she has been instrumental in developing the impact measurement, evaluation, learning and ESG practice which advises numerous corporates, and is passionate about supporting First Nations empowerment particularly in the context of regional economic development.

Kylie is also a Director of the WA Social Enterprise Council, a member of the B Council (B Lab Australia and New Zealand), and a Governor of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).

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Hon. John Anderson AC

The Hon. John Anderson AC is a sixth-generation farmer and grazier from NSW, who served in the Australian Parliament from 1989 to 2008.

He was a senior Cabinet minister in the government led by John Howard (1996 to 2005), including six years as Leader of the National Party and Deputy Prime Minister.

In the latter role, Mr Anderson played in important role in FRRR’s history, working closely with Baillieu Myer AC and others on a proposal to establish a philanthropic organisation to benefit rural Australia. The concept was discussed at the National Regional Summit in 1999 and FRRR was established shortly thereafter.

Mr Anderson currently hosts a regular podcast, where he is in conversation with thought-leaders from around the world, and is a regular media commentator.

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Regina Cruickshank

Partnerships Specialist (WA)

Regina supports FRRR as the WA Partnerships Specialist. With over two decades of experience in partnerships and marketing, she has a deep understanding of Western Australia’s social impact landscape. She brings a strong passion for leveraging purpose-built networks to create positive change.

Regina previously worked with Playgroup WA and founded a Health Promotion Charity dedicated to supporting Social Emotional wellbeing for underserved communities. She’s excited about the opportunity to connect with partners and explore ways to make a meaningful difference in WA.

She lives in Perth with her family and enjoys mindful moments of connection to Country, whether on horseback, on foot or underwater.

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Anna Palmer

People and Culture Manager

Based in Central Victoria, Anna is a senior Human Resources, Organisation Development and Industrial Relations professional, with significant private and public sector experience across every facet of people and culture leadership.

Her most recent roles have been with Don KR in Castlemaine and Mount Alexander Shire Council. She has also held senior HR roles with Victoria Legal Aid and the TAC among many others.

From Mildura originally, Anna has postgraduate qualifications in Change Management and a Masters in Organisation Dynamics.

Anna is currently completing a Bachelor of Fine Arts to balance her creative pursuits and work as an HR professional.

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Philippa Twaddle

Management Accountant

Carolyn joined the FRRR team in March 2017, and is responsible for providing executive support to the CEO, effective coordination of the FRRR office and general administrative support to the management team. A key responsibility is supporting the administration of FRRR’s Donation Account Services.

She has over fifteen years’ experience working in local government in the Tourism and Arts Sector, Civic and Event Management and Community engagement.

Carolyn has a Bachelor of Arts in Librarianship, majoring in psychology, and grew up on farming communities in Cohuna and Echuca and currently lives in Bendigo.