Food Grains Projects in Lethbridge County announce dates for harvest and BBQ

Posted on August 8, 2023 by Sunny South News

By Erika Mathieu
Sunny South News

Following a disappointing year in 2022, which saw the Picture Butte Food Grains’ barley crop decimated by a vicious hail storm last July, the  Picture Butte & Area Food Grains Project has announced the annual Harvest and BBQ has been scheduled for Aug. 16 at 11 a.m.

Organizers of the Picture Butte growing project are planning on swathing the crop on Aug. 9 at around 10 a.m., and have advised the public, “if you have not been contacted, feel free to bring a swather.”

The committee are still seeking sponsorship to cover land rental costs, as the going cost for renting land is currently sitting at $450/acre, amounting to $70,000 for the Picture Butte and Area Food Grains Project.

The proceeds raised go toward to helping fight global hunger and to help establish sustainable farming practices in over 70 countries. The various growing projects, which now take place across Western Canada, began in 1983, and have brought in over $1 billion over the past 40 years.

In November 2022, Canadian Food Grains was named as one of Canada’s Top 10 Impact Charities for Charity Intelligence’s 2022 list.

Most notably, the organization’s impact is multiplied through an agreement whereby donations are matched by the Canadian government at a 4:1 ratio.

Each year, Food Grains growing projects are made possible by the local donors in work and crop inputs, seed, fertilizer, and land donations. The grain and straw from this year’s crop in Picture Butte has been pre-sold to local farmers.

Board member of the Picture Butte and Area Food Grains Project, Tony Kok said, “With global hunger on the rise, the annual Picture Butte Growing Project is a great way to support the Canadian Food Grains Bank which strives to provide food, agricultural training and support to communities most effected by hunger, war, floods, drought or displacement.”

The harvest and BBQ is scheduled for Aug. 16, weather permitting. The field is located east of Picture Butte on Highway 519 heading north on Range Road 210 near Prairie Hill Farms, and about one mile up that gravel road. Kok said, “All combines, balers and loaders are very welcome.”

Interested donors can submit contributions through e-transfer to pbfoodgrains@gmail.com or by mail to Box 725 Picture Butte, AB T0K 1V0. In person donations can be dropped off at the upcoming Aug. 16 BBQ, or at the Ag Employ office at 316 Jamieson Avenue in Picture Butte.

The Coaldale-Lethbridge Food Grains project has also announced their Harvest and BBQ event will take place on Aug. 15 (weather permitting) half a mile north of the Alberta Ag Centre on Highway 3 and 8 Street, north of the Coaldale RCMP detachment, and will welcome public attendees at 11:30 a.m.

New this year, the Coaldale-Lethbridge event will include a farm equipment petting zoo, sponsored by the Alberta Ag Centre, where attendees can see some of the powerful farm machines used to help feed people around the world. Donations will also be accepted at the event site near Coaldale or by e-transfer to CoaldaleLethFoodgrains@gmail.com.