It was 10 years ago when Gordon Janzen started beekeeping in his Winnipeg backyard, and now, he’s inviting other beekeepers from all across the country to join him in a Foodgrains Bank growing project for beekeepers.
With donations from seven beekeepers, the growing project raised nearly $17,000 in just one year, and it’s hoped the project will become even more successful in the years ahead.
“Coming on board with Foodgrains Bank as the Manitoba regional representative [in 2017], I saw that most of the growing projects involved grain growing,” says Gordon, who has recently retired from his role with Foodgrains Bank. “That’s the main part of our Manitoba agriculture, but there’s a significant beekeeping sector in agriculture, and so I wondered about how to engage beekeepers like me in this mission.”
Gordon commits the proceeds of his hives to the beekeepers growing project through a donation webpage, and acknowledges the project works differently to more ‘typical’ growing projects that he saw during his time with the Foodgrains Bank.
Former Foodgrains Bank Manitoba regional representative Gordon Janzen has been beekeeping since 2015 and is now inviting other beekeepers to join his growing project initiative. (Photo: Supplied)
“The classic grain growing project has a common field where people come together, and that’s different with beekeepers,” says Gordon. “Beekeepers work on a smaller scale, and in different geographic areas, so beekeepers remain separate.”
But not being limited to location or space can also be a real strength for the group, says Gordon.
“This is a project which started in Manitoba but is open to anyone across Canada. Because it works differently like that, there’s no reason why a Saskatoon beekeeper couldn’t contribute to it, or someone in Atlantic Canada.”
“My hope is that we would increase the number of beekeepers, both hobbyists and commercial beekeepers to commit a number of hives each year, and that this would be continued year after year. That’s what I’m hoping for.”
If you or someone you know is interested in joining the beekeepers growing project, email connect@foodgrainsbank.ca for more information.
This story was originally published in the 2025 Winter edition of Breaking Bread.
