Farmers come together for Food Grains harvest

Aug 21, 2020 | 2:00 PM

COALDALE, AB– The Coaldale-Lethbridge Community Food Grains Harvest Day is in its 14th year and this year’s event had a different vibe thanks to COVID-19.

Normally, the day would kick off with a welcome, bringing in guests and all participants that want to help, then harvest the crop, and have a barbeque.

This year there was only the harvest to raise money and awareness for World hunger.

15 different farmers brought their combines and spirit to harvest the Barley just outside of Coaldale.

Organizer Ed Donkersgoed says in years past they have raised $1.68 million which gets matched 4-1 by the federal government which amounts to over $8 million.

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Below is a recap of the day’s harvest done by LNN.

“Last year alone we did $173,000 just out of our project which of course gets matched and this year we’re hoping to do that and maybe a bit better.”

Donkersgoed says the changes have certainly hindered some of the projects, but raising the money still has to happen.

“Each year we garner donations to plant, nurture, and harvest a crop, and all of the funds raised gets sent to the Canadian Food Grains Bank and that gets used in over 30 countries globally.”

“We don’t have to sell this, it’s just to get the word out and farmers and businesses step up and help out in any way they can.”

The day appeared to be a great success with those in attendance willing to help out and give in spite of COVID.

by Connor Gunn