The Canadian Foodgrains Bank is looking to three or four more harvest bees to complete its grain growing projects for 2012.
Regional co-ordinator Andre Visscher said Sept. 24 that total fundraising will depend on grain prices, but he expects farmers’ charitable donations to be substantial.
“This year we hope to raise, in grain alone in Alberta, around $1.7 million,” he said.
There were 35 grain growing projects in the province this year comprising 4,500 acres. There are more than 200 projects across Canada.
Money raised through grain sales and cash donations is used to provide food aid to people in need and for projects that promote food security in areas consistently without sufficient local food production.
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Visscher said several communities have expressed interest in starting foodgrains bank growing projects this year. He is looking for a group to farm land offered near Claresholm, Alta., and another group who will farm land near Calgary. There is also interest in starting a project in the Vulcan region.
The foodgrains bank will be a recipient of fundraising by Dow AgroSciences through sponsorship of the Canadian Football League Grey Cup 100 Train Tour. The train is designed to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the CFL that will culminate in the Grey Cup game played Nov. 25 in Toronto.
People who “like” the train tour on Facebook, which is found at nexerathankyoutrain, will prompt a $2 donation from Dow AgroSciences up to a maximum of $10,000.
The last prairie stop for the train was Oct. 3 in Minnedosa, Man. It included displays of Grey Cup rings, historical material about the game and a mock-up locker of three players from each team in the CFL.
Visscher said Dow also provided $40,000 worth of chemicals for foodgrains growing projects this year.
