To the editor,
Once again this fall, we have been blessed with a bountiful corn harvest at Greenock for the Canadian Foodgrains Bank, thanks to the great growing season and perfect harvest conditions with no major problems like drought, war, hurricanes and distribution issues that the world is experiencing. We are so lucky to live here where we have so much.
Our corn crop proceeds this year are a record for us, over $15,000. We are grateful for our land donors, the crop input donations, the planting and harvesting volunteers and all the work they have provided to help end hunger. A recent report from Canadian Foodgrains has indicated some very successful projects in Sudan and Kenya, making us aware of the good we promote by our growing project.
In Sudan, we are told of Esther’s experience. She is the mother of 10 and spoke of her early years of abuse sourced in the culture, from gender traditions of male dominance which caused her to leave her house hold for periods of time to seek protection for herself and her children. As she gained the trust of a Canadian Foodgrains Bank farm team group, help became a lifesaving event for her family. You see, as the husband learned of her improved farming skills, he was able to see her in a new light. Now they work together with neighbours to form a farm team to build a food secure village.
In Kenya, a similar success is reported by David. A Canadian Foodgrains Bank group of 25 farmers discussed a need to change to ensure their sustainable food security. Drought was the most immediate threat to be addressed. Gradual learning about new seeds, fertility procedures, animal awareness education, composting and irrigation from the river became part of the plan. A new grass land crop matched to their animals has helped to change older attitudes of slash and burn. In addition to their own food sources of nutrition being met for the year, this community now runs a plan for 60 acres of food production and has managed to grow several thousand American dollars’ worth of watermelons to be marketed, beyond their needs for the year. As these successful projects helps to pay for the medical, schooling and basic needs of the village, it is easy to see it has become a model for other villages to follow.
The success of these programs has grown to catch the attention of local governments to the point where additional support from the municipality is being nurtured – a totally new idea for these remote communities. As these small farm teams grow, there is no doubt that projects sponsored by the Foodgrains Bank will find places to use our support to help end hunger.
I encourage you to support this important cause by sending a donation to the “Jubilee Acres” Growing project, PO Box 1403, Walkerton, Ontario, N0G 2V0.
Our year end is coming soon for tax receipts.
Thank you for your support!
Len Kraemer
Walkerton
The Canadian Foodgrains Bank growing project at Greenock had a record year in 2022, with proceeds exceeding $15,000. Pictured is one of the loads of corn being unloaded for drying, storage and market transportation. (Submitted photo)
