Local Members of Canadian Foodgrains Bank Harvest Annual Crop

Local Members of Canadian Foodgrains Bank Harvest Annual Crop

Michelle Pinon - News Advertiser

Members of the Vegreville area harvested 7,741 bushels of wheat on Oct. 4 in support of the Canadian Foodgrains Bank, (CFGB).

The mission of CFGB is to end global hunger and has been working towards that goal since 1983. CFB is a partnership of 15 church and church-based agencies. The organization supports programs implemented by its member churches and agencies through their local partner organizations in countries around the world.

Local volunteer Darren Achtymichuk along with a group of around two dozen people helped out with harvest and he expressed his gratitude to them and other people who also contributed to the project through donations.

“Overall, it was a successful year for our local growing project. Thanks to the continued support of local businesses, farmers, and individuals, we were able to plant and harvest a crop of hard red spring wheat. Reasonably favorable growing conditions led to a slightly above average yield, which coupled with strong commodity prices, resulted in excellent financial returns for the project.

We harvested 7,741 bushels of wheat, which was sold for $96,245. Viterra paid a premium price for the wheat, with no discounts for grade, which was greatly appreciated. After paying a few expenses that weren’t covered by donations, the remaining funds, (likely $80,000 - $85,000) will be forwarded to the Canadian Food Grains Bank and used to help fund humanitarian work in Ukraine.”

Drone photo during combining near Vegreville Oct. 4.

(Vegreville Foodgrains Bank/Submitted Photo)

Achtymichuk pointed out that, “Immediately following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the Canadian Food Grains Bank and its member organizations began providing humanitarian aid to the Ukrainian people impacted by the war.

The projects organized and funded by the Food Grains Bank included providing emergency food and shelter in Ukraine, operating logistic centers, collaborating with local businesses and restaurants on transporting food into Ukraine, providing transportation from Ukraine to safer areas, and providing support to refugees who have fled to surrounding countries.”

Combining 120 acres of wheat near Vegreville on Oct. 4.

(Michelle Pinon/Photo)

Volunteer Mark Shaw said he’s been helping out with the harvest for the past 10 or 11 years. He was behind the wheel of a John Deere X9 model. “I just think it’s a good project,” said Shaw, who is a sales representative with Deerland Equipment in Vegreville. “It’s nice to be involved and help out a bit,” added Shaw.

Grain being off-loaded.

(Michelle Pinon/Photo)

Shaw was joined out in the field with representatives from Webb’s Machinery and Tingley’s Harvest Center. Several members of the Vegreville Hutterite Colony were on hand to provide trucking to the grain elevator. There were several other contributors to the project, and Achtymichuk said it was truly a “community effort” through and through.