Coaldale-Lethbridge Foodgrains Growing Project starts to sunny skies

Sunny South News photo by Nikki Jamieson

By Nikki Jamieson
Sunny South News

The Coaldale-Lethbridge Foodgrains Growing Project kicked off another year late last month.

After committee members decided to continue the growing project in a virtual meeting, seeding for the growing project took place last Thursday.

“We think now is more important than ever to carry on with the project,” said Ed Donkersgoed, committee member for the Coaldale-Lethbridge Foodgrains Growing Project In a field east of Coaldale by Highway 512, they seeded 180 acres of barley. Local fertilizer companies have donated fertilizer and another the seed, and local farmers has volunteered to seed the crop and look after it during it’s growing season. Donkersgoed said they were using family land for the growing project.

While they may have had a little bit late in seeding this year, Donkersgoed said they were in “good shape” and they have good soil conditions.

Last year, the growing project raised $143,000, which was matched by the federal government 4:1. Over the past 13 years, they have raised over $1.68 million dollars.

Growing projects support the the Canadian Foodgrains Bank by growing and harvesting a crop, selling it on the Canadian market and donating the proceeds to the foodgrains bank. This money is then used to help combat world hunger.

“The buyers of our crop may not be able to pay a premium this year, but we will have a market for our crop. The diversity of folks who have donated to our cause, from seniors, to parents of young families, small business, and even school kids, all have been negatively impacted. Many of these same folks also volunteer or give locally to food banks, the soup kitchen, and the like. The principle of helping their neighbour here, and abroad, is simply a part of their nature.”

Perlich Brothers Auction Market will be hosting the auction for the grain from the going project, with more details to follow.

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