MALLAIG – A massive combine rumbled through fields of gold, harvesting the last of crops for a project founded on the idea of addressing food security in some of the world's most vulnerable regions.
Acres of Hope Growing Project, a community-based initiative in Mallaig, completed its harvest on Oct. 13. The crops harvested will be sold throughout the year, with proceeds going to the Canadian Foodgrains Bank (CFB).
The CFB is a partnership of 15 church-related relief and development organizations, with 240 growing projects across Canada, and 30 of those located in the province. According to Charity Intelligence Canada (Ci), 87 cents of every dollar donated to the CFB goes to its programs, after overhead costs of fundraising and administration and management are considered.
The Acres of Hope Growing Project, which has been taking place for over a decade in the Mallaig area, aims to raise $30,000 each year. The amount raised is then matched four-to-one by the Canadian Government.
Richard Michaud, a member of the project’s board, said the harvest went very well this year. They used a brand-new combine provided by John Deere as a demonstration. “We’re thankful because we didn’t have to bring our own,” said Michaud.
According to Michaud, 140 acres of canola were harvested, with 50 to 55 bushels harvested per acre. “We had a little bit of hay... but mostly canola,” said Michaud.
He thanked the project’s manager Michael Wendel, as well as Don Katerynych who provided the 70 acres of land for the project. Katerynych is also the secretary for the Acres of Hope Growing Project.
Also, Michaud thanked all individuals involved with the project, noting the continued success of Acres of Hope is a group effort.
Katerynych agreed, stating support from farmers and businesses in local communities like Mallaig, St. Lina, St. Vincent, St. Paul, Glendon, Two Hills, and others are crucial. Donations range from donated land to the chemicals used for spraying, cash, manpower and more.
“It’s all basically donated,” said Katerynych.
The money raised through the project goes to support food aid or food security development projects around the world, such as in Ethiopia, Sudan, and Kenya.
