Sowing spring wheat to help those in need

Killarney Growing Project volunteers start their engines this week for a 2021 Canadian Foodgrains Bank field of promise

BY KIM LANGEN

Despite near drought conditions, and temperatures that rise and fall every day, farmers are out on the land and getting crops sown.

This includes volunteers with the Killarney Growing Project, who embarked this week on plans to sow a field of hard wheat, destined to help the world’s people most in need, by way of the Canadian Foodgrains Bank (CFGB) charity.

And while their task of finding a field to rent for this year’s project was achieved a little close to the wire, it still emerged in time to plant the crop, they said.

“We just got it,” said relieved member Betty Turner on April 23. “We are renting a field from Blair English, 100 acres directly north of Jamie Groening’s hog barn. Things are happening so fast now. We are all so thankful, and excited for the opportunity to grow a crop for the CFGB.”

English, who lives in Brandon, but has Killarney ties and recently opened a large storage facility here, said that when he saw that the group was looking for a field to rent, he was compelled to take part.

“I thought, well, maybe this is a good opportunity to get involved in the community, and support the Foodgrains growing program,” said English. “I think it’s a good cause, and I think it highlights the importance of agriculture in the rural community that we live in. I had some acres available, so I jumped in.”

Turner added that Don Chatham would be donating treated Brandon Red spring wheat seed for the project, while Ken Harms would be donating his agronomic services. 

“We have had volunteers step forward to both seed, and later spray the field,” said Turner. “We plan on fertilizing this week, and Mitch Dyck is hoping to seed the field on Thursday.”

The call for support is going out again this year to help pay for other production costs, said Turner. 

One way is to ‘buy’ an acre, by donating the value of input costs, which earns you a spot on a great big map of the 100-acre field, which will be displayed on harvest day for all to admire.

“We will be doing the map again this year, and to sponsor an acre it is still $250/acre,” said Turner. “Every year is so different, and we are so thankful to be able to grow a crop for the CFGB. And we are hoping that all will be blessed with some rain in the near future.” 

Last year’s donor map is currently on display at Killarney Place mall, said Turner, with all the names of donors, and with some acres made in memorial to a loved one.

On Wednesday of this week, Betty and Dennis Turner braved the windy, zero-degree weather to hitch up the old 1960’s seeder, which bears the CFGB logo, and drag it through the back roads, and up to the field’s edge for this season’s crop location. 

“We just bottomed out,” said Turner, on Wednesday morning, as they navigated the notorious and gravelly Snake Road. “We hope it can stay together and not fall apart, because it’s pretty old. We think it belonged to Myron Peter’s dad.” 

So how does it all work, and how does the money raised help other people?

When this year’s wheat crop is finally harvested, it will be sold, and the money generated from the sale will be donated to the Canadian Foodgrains Bank charity. 

The CFGB then uses the funds, which come from similar projects taking place all across Canada, to support agricultural projects, education programs, and to locally purchase food supplies in countries in need around the world. 

The Canadian government also matches the donated monies, up to 4:1, in order to bolster the charitable impact.

To find the old seeder, and watch this year’s crop grow, drive north from Killarney on Hwy 18, and turn left (west) on Northcote Road. Drive west for one mile on Northcote, then turn north for one mile to spot the marker. And watch it grow…

For more information on how to donate towards the CFGB field of wheat, or to get involved, contact Killarney Growing Project volunteer (and secretary) Betty Turner, at 204-523-0217.

CHECKING FOR SEED DEPTH – Myron Peters (left) and Mitch Dyck were calculating their seeding depth on Thursday, as they prepared to sow Brandon Red Spring Wheat into 100 acres of cropland north of town for the 2021 Killarney Growing Project crop. “There was excellent moisture,” said Dennis Turner. “The field was undisturbed last fall, so they were direct seeding into standing canola stubble.” Money generated from the crop will go to the Canadian Foodgrains Bank charity.

DENNIS TURNER/PHOTOS