With a record donation to Canadian Foodgrains Bank, members of the Niverville and District growing project have reason to celebrate.
On July 24, the project harvested 78.2 bushels an acre from its 264 acres of winter wheat. Sold for $7.25 a bushel to area farmers for animal feed, the crop produced about $150,000 for the Foodgrains Bank—their biggest donation since starting in 2000.
“We are very blessed – it’s a good feeling when it all comes together like this,” says Ken Krahn, who helps to organize the project.
“The conditions were good for winter wheat this year,” he adds, noting that the crop, which was planted in September 2011, did not have any winter kill.
The good yield, coupled with strong prices right now, adds up to what looks like the project’s biggest donation to date.
“It’s really a community effort,” says Krahn of all the people who work to make the harvest a success.
“Farmers from the community have donated their time and equipment and others have donated money to offset input costs, which means that the proceeds of the crop can go directly to help people around the world.”
Fifteen local farmers used their combines to bring in the crop in about 2.5 hours; several trucks were kept busy delivering the harvested grain to the local buyers.
And while the field was a hub of activity, the organizers made sure that spectators who came out to enjoy the day were given combine rides. After the harvest, people gathered in the field to enjoy a BBQ and celebrate.
“People remember why we are here – the older generation explains to the younger ones that we are blessed and we are doing this to help those in need,” says Krahn.
Among those out to enjoy the day were members of Winnipeg’s Willowlake Baptist Church, where Mark Doerksen is minister. The church supports the growing project by donating some money to help with input costs.
For Doerksen, the project is a way for members of the church to “put their love for God and their neighbour into action.”
Since 2000, the Niverville and District growing project has donated over half a million dollars to the Foodgrains Bank.
--July 27, 2012
The wonder of it all!
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