submitted by Grenville Federation of Agriculture
Adrian Wynands, President of Grenville Federation of Agriculture, came up with the idea for Farmers to feed Food Banks. “With the backing of the GFA, we started the project in 2013 with nine acres of soybeans on land the Township of Augusta donated. All inputs were donated and local farmers supplied their time and equipment.”
The project has grown over the years and now use 175 acres to grow a range of crops for the project, including wheat, corn, and soybeans. The crops raised are sold and the profits are donated to local area Food Banks. The area covered has grown over the years, with the following Food Banks benefitting from the initiative: Merrickville Food Cupboard, Knights of Columbus, Kemptville, Salvation Army, Kemptville, House of Lazarus, Mountain, Kings Kitchen, Prescott Connect Youth, and the Prescott South Grenville Food Bank, which includes Prescott, Spencerville and Cardinal.
The project has been a real success story, and, as shown in the photograph above, a cheque for $8,000 was presented to the Knights of Columbus in Kemptville, and the other recipients received similar donations.
Everything needed for the growing and marketing the crops grown is donated and supported by these major sponsors: Invista for land donation, Pioneer Seed, Harvex, Summitt Seeds, Porter Agri Services,Stonehedge Farms, Rideauside Farms, Vetnor Excavating, Heusser Farm Service, Thomson Trucking, plus many more individual Farmers who have donated their time.
Adrian Wynands expressed the feelings of the GFA: “Grenville Federation would like to take this opportunity to personally THANK all of our County Farmers and sponsors who are involved with this Important Project, and a special thank you to all the hard working volunteers and staff of your local Food Banks. Merry Christmas to all and wishing you a Happy and Safe New Year!”
