Killarney Guide

Killarney Growing Project brings in crop for the Canadian Foodgrains Bank

BY KIM LANGEN

With the power of 16 roaring combines, two grain carts, and eight super-Bs, a hefty crop of wheat was lifted off the field early Tuesday afternoon, and trucked off to help the world’s people most in need.

It was the day of the Killarney Growing Project’s harvest, which took place south of town, within chucking distance of the U.S. border.

“It was amazing,” said Betty Turner, member of the group, who helps every year with fundraising for the project. Sometimes she is even up in the combine seat, helping to bring in the harvest like the other operators who donate their time and machines to the cause.

“They were straight cutting the wheat, and it looked like it was yielding good,” said Turner. “It took less than two hours to do the 155 acres; it took us longer than usual, because one of the combines broke down, and we had to re-align, so it delayed it a little bit. And the crop wasn’t quite dry.”

Yield of the Starbuck red spring wheat crop, harvested off of the field rented this year from Henry and Anna Dyck, was 64.38 bushels per acre, said Turner.

“I’m really happy with that,” she said. “We had two grain carts on the field, and eight Super-Bs to transport it to the TLA elevator. It was shipped straight off the combine, and into town. We were really pleased with the yield, and the proceeds.”

The money raised from the eventual sale of this crop will be deposited into the Canadian Foodgrains Bank coffers, and the federal government will also match the donations and money generated by 4:1, she added.

“We had a lot of donations come in on the harvest day itself,” said Turner. “And we have 170 acres on our map of the field ‘sold’ to date. That helps cover our input costs for the crop. Willow Creek Colony did our main course at the lunch in the field, and served up an amazing pulled pork meal. Holmfield Colony did the wonderful desserts.”

Turner was also delighted with the turnout for the event, in which everyone is invited to join first for a terrific lunch in the field (combine drivers first, folks!), followed by the spectacle of the massive harvest itself.  

“Around 100 to 150 people came to watch the event, with lots of new people, including a young family from Ukraine,” said Turner. “They had never seen anything like it. We even had a vintage combine, a 1957 Massey Harris #35, out there combining, that was driven in by Alan Melvin of Mather. We had a good turnout, and a great crowd. It is always such an amazing day.”

LUNCH IN THE FIELD AT THE CFGB HARVEST – The big lunch (with pulled pork) served up by the Willow Creek Hutterite Colony.

DENNIS TURNER/PHOTO

SWEET TREATS – A variety of tasty desserts followed, presented by the Holmfield Hutterite Colony.

JAY STRUTH/PHOTO

A LITTLE AT A TIME – Alan Melvin giving his all aloft his 1957 Massey Harris #35 combine, and doing his bit for the big day.

DENNIS TURNER/PHOTO

GETTING THE JOB DONE – Sixteen combines (with an old ‘57 Massey Harris out of sight) roar and crawl across 155 acres of ripened Starbuck red spring wheat, during Tuesday’s Killarney Growing Project harvest event south of town. Revenue generated by the sale of the crop, plus donations, goes to the Canadian Foodgrains Bank charity, and help support developing or struggling countries with food, agricultural education, and sustainable farm projects.

JAY STRUTH/KILLARNEY GUIDE

BRIAN ARCHIBALD/PHOTO