Seed and chemical company Monsanto Canada has put up a total of $26,000 in prizes for six rural Prairie curling clubs best able to plead their case for "a better house."

The company's "Imagine a Better House" contest, announced Thursday, offers a grand prize bursary of $10,000 along with two $5,000 and three $2,000 prizes based on entries by rural curling clubs, judged on the "degree of need expressed" and the creativity of the submission.

The submissions will be judged by "a group of curling enthusiasts" and Monsanto Canada staff. Applications, which can include "a couple of photos" as well as the written entry, can be posted online or mailed to Monsanto's Canadian head office in Winnipeg.

The winners will be announced during the 2008 Scotties Tournament of Hearts at Brandt Centre in Regina, Feb. 16-24. Monsanto is a major sponsor of both that tournament and the Tim Hortons Brier, and also recently inked a sponsorship deal with Manitoba's Jennifer Jones rink.