Grow Hope and Canadian Foodgrains Bank were part of an annual crop production event in Saskatoon

Farmers and organizers of Grow Hope Saskatchewan were photographed together at the Canadian Foodgrains Bank booth at Prairieland Park Jan. 14, 2020 during the Western Canadian Crop Production Show. (Photo submitted)

Posted By: Kiply Lukan Yaworski January 20, 2020

By Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Saskatoon Catholic News

Several of the farmers and organizers involved in the 2019 season of Grow Hope Saskatchewan were among those who gathered for the Western Canadian Crop Production Show held Jan. 13-16 at Prairieland Park in Saskatoon.

Through the Grow Hope project, Saskatchewan farm families grew crops on a total of 180 acres this year, partnering with donors – urban and rural – who contributed funds to pay for the seed and other input costs. When 122 sponsored acres were harvested, proceeds from the sale of the crops went to Canadian Foodgrains Bank to address hunger and food security for vulnerable people in crisis around the world. The amount raised and donated to Canadian Foodgrains Bank is also matched four-to-one by the Canadian government, multiplying the impact of the project.

“With the Canadian government match this year, up to $480,000 will be distributed through Canadian Foodgrains Bank account holders to feed people and develop sustainable growing practices in vulnerable areas of the world,” noted Myron Rogal, coordinator of Justice and Peace for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon.

Catholic farm families involved in Grow Hope last year were Michelle and Brian Hergott, who farm near Bruno (planting 40 acres of canola for the project), and Ian, Patrick and Reg Sonntag who farm near Goodsoil (growing 50 acres of oats). The Rosthern-area Mennonite farm family of Nathan and Jeanette Janzen also seeded 90 acres of wheat for Grow Hope.

The project’s many partnerships were highlighted during presentations at the 2019 Grow Hope Field Day in August: NEWS ARTICLE. Among those joining together to address hunger through Grow Hope were urban and rural residents, volunteers and businesses, and faith-based organizations including the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace (Caritas Canada), the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon, and the Mennonite Central Committee (MCC).

For more information about Grow Hope and how to get involved, contact Myron Rogal, coordinator of the diocesan Office of Justice and Peace at mrogal@rcdos.ca or (306) 659-5841.