|
Durham East JF Supports Canadian Foodgrains |
 |
 |
 |
|
Written by Katharine Found, Durham East JF
|
|
Thursday, 13 April 2006 04:56 |
A successful soybean growing season combined with tremendous community support has lead to a substantial monetary donation from a local Junior Farmers' club for the Canadian Foodgrains Bank.
Durham East Junior Farmers (DEJF) presented a cheque for more than $5,700 to the Foodgrains Bank from the club's 2004 grow plot project. This year's project involved a 17.3-acre plot that yielded 20 tonnes of soybeans, which the club then sold to raise the money.
An initial target goal of $5,500 was surpassed thanks to an overwhelming display of support from local businesses and individual donations, said DEJF club president Ben Millson.
"We surpassed our goals and we're proud of that," he says. "But it wouldn't have been possible without the help that everyone in the region gave us."
Six local businesses and organizations donated the agricultural necessities for the project. Land and custom operations were donated by Ryeland Farms, seed and chemical spray by Dekalb, fertilizer from Cavan Agri Services, harvesting by the Durham East 4-H Farm Machinery club, trucking by Paul Morton and marketing and sales through Thompsons Limited, Pontypool.
This is the fifth time the club has organized a grow plot, the last in 1998, raising $4,500 for the Foodgrains Bank.
Millson says the unique approach to raising grain and cash donations for the Foodgrains Bank brings people from all sectors of the community together in a combined effort to support those in need.
"We were able to raise this money for people in need but we were also able to bring the agricultural community together to educate an urban public about our industry," says Millson.
The Canadian Foodgrains Bank is a Christian organization that has become one of the world's largest private providers of food and development assistance. Since its induction in 1983, more than 800,000 metric tonnes of food has been distributed throughout the world. In 2003, 140 Ontario growing projects covering more than 4,000 acres of land was devoted to raising funds for this cause.
Junior Farmers is a grassroots organization celebrating 90 years of history in Durham East. It's run for youth, by youth, cultivating leaders through education, travel, fun and community involvement. It's an opportunity for rural and urban youth between the ages of 15 and 30 to take advantage of new opportunities and lifetime friendships.
Throughout the year, DEJF plan a variety of activities to raise money for local charities and organizations. In 2004, money was raised through a battery drive, beach volleyball tournament, dances and food sales from the club's food booth at Durham Central Fair. Proceeds from these endeavours and the Foodgrains project totalled more than $10,000. |
|
Last Updated on Thursday, 01 May 2008 06:19 |
What We Offer 
