NOVA SCOTIA
The Wickwire Station Park growing project in Milford harvested its crop of winter wheat in early August, while Harvest4Hunger Nova Scotia Trinity United Church growing project grew a healthy crop of barley. As well, Grow Hope Nova Scotia cultivated both barley and soybeans.
People are still doing what they are passionate about despite churches and events not yet being open for public gatherings. “Fortunately farming and mother nature carry on despite COVID-19,” says Ian McHattie, Nova Scotia regional representative.
SASKATCHEWAN
Growing projects in Saskatchewan are hosting harvest celebrations, recognizing the ongoing support from local families, churches and businesses. Coming together helps strengthen relationships and offers a vision for local people to work together to meet the global challenge of ensuring all have enough food. Whether it’s a pancake breakfast or a full-course fall supper, these events are taking place at growing projects in Kindersley, Strasbourg, Outlook, Hudson Bay, Sask Valley and more.
Supporters of Foodgrains Bank harvesting their growing projects at Hudson Bay, and Naicam-Spalding in Saskatchewan for harvest 2022.
ALBERTA
The Vauxhall Growing Project held a community pig roast with more than 400 people, the Growing Hope project in Mallaigh held their first spring kick-off breakfast in three years and Picture Butte held a community barbecue in the town centre.
Ary Vreeken, Alberta representative, is pleased speaking opportunities have also been restored in churches. “This is an important vehicle for growing projects to inform their constituents and harness support,” he explains.
It’s a family affair on the prairies
In Alberta, Larry Penner, a feed sales and service representative, has been involved with Coaldale-Lethbridge growing project since its inception 16 years ago. After watching from afar, his son Kyle Penner, an engineer for a potash mine, caught the growing project bug and joined the Harvest of Hope Growing Project when he moved to Moosomin, Saskatchewan nine years ago.
While neither are famers, each brings their business connections, industry savvy, administration and leadership skills to their respective growing projects.
Penner is proud of the growing project’s longevity and even more so of his son. “I’ve learned more from him than you’d imagine,” he said. “He’s done a lot of cool things.”
Larry and Kyle Penner in Moosomin 2018.
This article was originally published in the Fall 2022 edition of Breaking Bread. Download your copy here.
