Kernels of Hope

Christmas Time

2011-12-27T12:02:00.000-08:00

Christmas time is often the time of year that people look forward as a time of visiting with their families and friends and for giving and receiving gifts. Sometimes those gifts are just caring for others that need it more than we do !
This year on Dec 23 rd we got our final numbers in for Kernels of Hope. We banded together across the country and even some of our neighbours south of the 49th parallel to join in raising crops to help people in North Kivu in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in Africa. You likely know that we have been helping these people in this war torn country resettle onto their farmland through helping them attain seed and tools and even fishing equipment so they can once again feed their families and get some extra income to better their lives. The Hudyes of Norquay have been a huge supporter of this project through their unique project called " "Helping Feed The World " This project adds to our virtual farming theme by having actual producers in their area designate the whole production of 10 acres of crop to Kernels of Hope. The crops in many areas were average at best this year but in the Norquay area things were great ! Big bushels multiplied by big prices and backed up by big hearts equal an amazing addition once again to Kernels !
The Hudyes are very committed to making a difference this way and they challenged their good friends in Burlington, Colorado to have some producers help out too ! They came through big time !
When we add all the components of Kernels together this year, Benefit Projects like the "Wide Open Spaces" Musical by Neelin High School in Brandon, The Ugly Sweater, the Real farmers growing real crops for the donors or the virtual farmers, real farmers donating actual grain to World Relief Canada through the CFGB on behalf of Kernels and the wonderful enthusiasm and funds from "Helping Feed the World " we have raised $100,000 this year ! That is a record in our 7 year history ! The Canadian International Development Agency ( CIDA ) is matching those funds $4 for every $1 we raise. That makes a total of $500,000 for our project in the Congo this year. What a benefit it will be to the people of the Congo. What a Christmas present for me to find this out at this time of year. For my part the giving of time and resources to this project has come back to me as blessings many times over just by having the privelege to farm with all of you and to make a difference that can last for generations. We are truly blessed in North America. Thanks so much for farming in what ever fashion you did this year if you were able ... We are going to farm again in 2012
Stay tuned for how we can once again turn something little like a seed into a life changing program for them and for us ! Grow with us again !

Blessings in 2012 from Ray the Grain Guy !

Covenant News

2011-10-22T06:19:00.000-07:00

Here is a story just done in Chicago by Stan Friedman. Go to the ECC site to see the picture...

Record Kernels of Hope Crop to Benefit Congo Farmers
MELFORT, SK (October 19, 2011) – Kendell Arndt doesn’t know how to farm the 80 acres he purchased, so he turned growing canola grain into a community project that will benefit farmers in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The member of Melfort Covenant Church is participating in the Kernels of Hope program, which is operated on behalf of the Evangelical Covenant Church of Canada. Farmers in several provinces donate their time to grow wheat and canola crops on a portion of their land set aside to be “purchased” by virtual farmer donors. Those donations pay the costs of rent, seed, chemicals, insurance, and custom work.

Kendell Arndt and Ray Baloun
When the crops are sold, the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) matches the grain sales revenue on a four-to-one ratio to reach the final donation amount. That money is distributed to the intended recipients through the Canadian Food Grains Bank and World Relief Canada.

Since its inception in 2005, Kernels has raised more than $1.7 million. Arndt has helped with the program from the beginning, but he has done so as a virtual farmer and someone who encourages others to donate land.

Arndt bought the property two years ago and had considered renting it to farmers. “Then it clicked in my brain that I could donate it just like I have asked farmers to do for the past six years,” he told a local newspaper.

Local businesses were eager to help him farm the property as soon as they heard what Arndt wanted to do. A local equipment retailer seeded, sprayed, and harvested the crop. Another friend agreed to haul the grain to the local elevator, and that friend enlisted someone he knew to donate the seed.

Arndt did help harvest the canola field. He got a quick lesson in running a large John Deere combine and helped drive it through the fields.

Business owners said that helping with Kernels was such a rewarding experience, they look forward to doing it again next year. That has been the experience across the country as the number of people involved continues to grow.

“We get more virtual farmers all the time,” says Covenanter Ray Baloun, who initiated and now oversees the project. “It’s easier for me to find real farmers each year, too!”

Baloun reports that yields have been good and prices “quite good.” Although he won’t have final numbers for another three weeks, Baloun says, “I am guessing it may be our best year ever.”

Just over $19,000 worth of canola was harvested from Arndt’s property recently. Because of the 4:1 matching funds, that harvest yielded a total of $76,000.

In previous years, money from the Kernels project was used to provide implements and other needed supplies to farmers in South Sudan and Liberia

The Newbergs !

2011-10-22T05:56:00.000-07:00

Our Kernels family in Hyas, Saskatchewan near the now famous town of Norquay, is Warren and Pam Newberg ! They aren't into the internet and we have been missing each other by phone so far but this week we connected !
They had seeded 20 acres of canola for us. The weather was more favorable there than it was in Manitoba this year and I am so pleased to report that they had a verrry good yield. It yielded 45 bushels per acre after the dockage is removed. Niiice ! We haven't priced it or taken it to the elevator yet. We will do that soon. The price is over $11.00 a bushel which is very high compared to most other years in the history of canola.
This is one more piece in the Kernels puzzle for this year. I will soon be able to put all the pieces together and tell you what we have done for World Relief Canada and the Canadian Food Grains Bank and specifically the people in the Congo. I do know the numbers are looking good again. We have already advanced some money previously to catch some of the earlier Government match offer.
Good things are still happening through Kernels ! Stay Tuned for updates !

Ray the Grain Guy

CBC Radio For Friday Sept 9

2011-09-09T04:15:00.000-07:00

CBC Radio Manitoba to Focus on Needs in East Africa
Will hold special day of programming Sept. 9; listeners encouraged to donate to Canadian Foodgrains Bank
Manitobans will be encouraged to “reach out to people” in east Africa on Friday, September 9 when CBC Radio holds a special day of programming for famine relief in that region.
The day of programming, called Make a Difference Friday, will feature interviews with aid agency representatives about how they are helping people in east Africa, and also feature people from that region who have experienced hunger first-hand.
CBC Radio will also broadcast live at noon from a special ration meal lunch hosted by the Foodgrains Bank, Mennonite Central Committee and Canadian Lutheran World Relief.
Later, on Up to Speed, singer and songwriter Steve Bell will talk about his experiences visiting Foodgrains Bank-supported work in Africa, and perform live.
Listeners will be encouraged to donate to Canadian Foodgrains Bank, a partnership of 15 churches and church agencies working together to end global hunger.
The special programming can be heard on Information Radio, Radio Noon, and Up to Speed at 89.3 FM and 990 AM.

Visit http://www.foodgrainsbank.ca/cbc_manitoba_canadian_foodgrains_bank_east_africa_drought_response.aspx to go to the CBC Radio Manitoba/Canadian Foodgrains Bank information and donation page.

Emily Cain

Communications Coordinator

Canadian Foodgrains Bank
400-393 Portage Ave. (Portage Place Mall)
Box 767

Winnipeg, MB R3C 2L4

204.926.4233

cell: 204-930-5509

e_cain@foodgrainsbank.ca

www.foodgrainsbank.ca

www.fastforchange.ca

The Marvin Wheat

2011-09-04T12:43:00.000-07:00

Here is the wheat that Lonnie and Steve grew for Kernels of Hope this year
It was harvested soon after these pictures. The quality was #1 and we will soon know the protein. The protein in wheat like this ranges from about 12.5 % to 15.5%
the more protein the more money ! The variety is Glenn... I think they'll grow it again! It ran over 40 bu per acre on barely any rainfall for the last half of its life! Now it will sustain life in people in North Kivu, Congo...

As you leave the Melfort Covenant Church

2011-09-03T19:28:00.000-07:00

This is the sign you see as you leave the Melfort Church.
It sure suits Kernels of Hope supporters ! You are making a difference !

( If the picture is too dark to read on your computer... it says
Now ... go make a Difference ... )

The Melfort Kinistino Adventure

2011-09-03T19:16:00.000-07:00

This week I had a chance to go to Melfort, and neighbouring community Kinistino, Saskatchewan ! Gerald and Darla have been growing Kernels crops and I finally got to meet them ! You'll also see Kendell and Jodines canola field. Gary Gilkinson and I toured both fields with the guys and we did a prayer walk at the wheat field. It is so important that everything we do on Kernels is done for God's Kingdom in helping those less fortunate than ourselves...
The pictures are worth a whole lot of words !

Helicopters in the canola

2011-09-03T19:10:00.000-07:00

Some fields in Manitoba were so wet this spring that some farmers used planes to spread the canola seed on and one that I know of used a helicopter...

the pictures below may look like a Helicopter at Ron's canola field but ... upon close inspection you'll see that it is a dragonfly ! There were many dragonflys eating our mosquitoes in Manitoba this year !

Thank a Farmer

2011-09-03T19:03:00.000-07:00

The canola seed pictured looks small, many say a dollar is small, I know the Thanks is small... But ! The seed and the dollars really add up to do big things and the Thanks I give you Virtual and real farmers can never be big enough !

VanHeyst Canola

2011-09-03T16:54:00.000-07:00

Here is a recap of the fall for this canola !

Kernels

2011-09-03T16:10:00.001-07:00

Harvest Update September 2011

2011-09-03T15:51:00.000-07:00

Things are happening now !
The Tiedes harvested the Peas in Strathmore ! There is an extremely good chance that these actual peas will really go to a country in need as part of a food aid program. We know that their value will also do so much to help the people of North Kivu in the Congo that we are helping out !

The VanHeyst canola ( near my elevator ) was harvested see pictures ! It got just over 30 bushels per acre. It worked well to deliver it straight in to the elevator... sometimes if you store canola it can begin to heat, or spoil... It's always better at the elevator than on the farm !

Steve an Lonnie Marvin at Brandon got the wheat harvested... It is #1 ! That is great to see. It also survived all the poor weather and ran just over 40 bushels per acre of very high quality wheat ! We'll determine a value on it when it is hauled to the elevator.

Good Earth Dave hasn't combined the canola before the weekend but I expect that to happen as soon as the rain dries up here.

No news from the Newbergs of Norquay on the canola but crops are quite good in that area... as usual ! The Hudye's and Helping Feed the World haven't reported yields yet but it is looking very good !

I'll post the Melfort Adventure I had this week next !

It is such a good feeling seeing all this come together once again... Thank you to our real and virtual farmers for all you've done this year

Stay tuned !

Field of Dreams 2011

2011-08-09T19:19:00.000-07:00

Field of Dreams at Norquay, Saskatchewan is a one day annual event display of field scale advances in crop production. With the world approaching 7 Billion people this year for the first time ever we need to explore better ways to produce more crop on less acres. Hudye Soils and Hudye Farms are on the leading edge of that type of farming... They are also on the leading edge of charity ! Their "Helping Feed the World " initiative has been a major contributor to Kernels of Hope and 2011 looks more promising than ever before !

Canola in Canada

2011-08-09T19:03:00.000-07:00

The USA grows Soybeans ... Canada grows Canola !
They both produce oil and animal feed when processed. Canola is much more colorful though ! About 40% of the seed of canola is oil. Here are some pictures from July of the Van Heyst canola just north of Brandon, Manitoba

Goodeve Hard Red Spring Wheat

2011-07-24T19:52:00.000-07:00

Gerald sent in this picture of our wheat near Kinistino, Saskatchewan,
It is not red (as in the name ) yet ! But when it is mature if the seed is an deep reddish color that will be very good ! A seed has it's full potential when it is born and it has to have good nutrition and water and the right amount of heat and seed depth and little competition from weeds and diseases.... and no frost... to produce a good end result... Sorta like people too isn't it !

This was taken this week !

Drought Update in East Africa

2011-07-13T05:19:00.001-07:00

Foodgrains Bank Responds to East Africa Drought

After two years of failed rains, 10 million people affected by worst drought in 60 years.

Although images of emaciated children have only recently hit the news, Canadian Foodgrains Bank member agencies are already responding to the severe drought affecting parts of Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, and Somalia.

Since May, the Foodgrains Bank, a partnership of 15 churches and church agencies working together to end global hunger, has committed $2.4 million to help over 46,000 people affected by the crisis.

“The Foodgrains Bank has been monitoring the situation over the past months and is already working with people in need,” says Joan Barkman, who directs the Foodgrains Bank International Program.

“We have a strong presence in Ethiopia and Kenya,” she adds, noting that “we are looking for ways to reach even more people.”

According to the World Food Program, 10 million people in the region require food assistance because of the drought, caused by lack of rain over the past two years. The drought is the worst to hit the area in 60 years.

Foodgrains Bank Response

Foodgrains Bank member agencies are responding:

In Ethiopia’s drought-prone Coro district, Canadian Lutheran World Relief is supporting 18,350 people with over 1,900 tonnes of food, including wheat, beans, oil, and famix, a supplementary food product. Cyclical drought in this area, coupled with total failure of rain this year, has dried up water sources and damaged crops. Food will be distributed freely to those in need and through food for work projects that aim to conserve the area’s natural resources.

In Kenya, Christian Reformed World Relief Committee is spearheading a project that is supporting 17,500 people from pastoralist and agro-pastoralist communities with staple crop seeds and food support. Members from the community are also being encouraged to work together on drought mitigation.

Pastoralists hardest hit

According to Sam Vander Ende, Canadian Foodgrains Bank’s field representative in Ethiopia, sparsely populated pastoralist areas are some of the hardest hit.

“After a couple of seasons of failed rains the cattle have nothing to graze on and they die, leaving their owners with nothing” says Vander Ende.

Mennonite Central Committee Canada is supporting a goat restocking project in Kenya. The goats are distributed through community groups and will benefit 2,000 vulnerable households.

Longer-term projects

In addition to these new projects, long-term projects operated by Foodgrains Bank member agencies are also responding to needs for food in the region. For the last five years, Mennonite Central Committee has been supporting communities in Kenya through sand dam projects that capture water from seasonal rainfall. This water, which is normally lost in flash floods, is being used for irrigation and consumption.

Due to the drought, many people who used to work on the sand dams are now spending all their time in search of food. To keep the sand dam projects going, workers are being paid with food. Now two needs are being met: immediate access to food, and longer-term access to water.

Barkman says that these responses may just be the beginning of more projects to help people in the region.

“We are very concerned about the drought, and will continue to monitor the situation and do what we can to help,” she says.

Canadians who want to help people in those countries can give by calling 1-800-665-4229, by donating online, or by sending a cheque to Box 767, Winnipeg, Man. R3C 2L4. Donations should be marked for East Africa Drought.

Emily Cain

Communications Officer

Canadian Foodgrains Bank
400-393 Portage Ave. (Portage Place Mall)
Box 767

Winnipeg, MB R3C 2L4

204.926.4233

e_cain@foodgrainsbank.ca

www.foodgrainsbank.ca

An Update from Kendell on the Melfort Canola !

2011-07-05T20:54:00.001-07:00

Canola in Melfort came up great but 6 inches of rain in a week last week has taken its toll. It is starting to bloom and looks like we may have ½ the yield we would of expected due to flooding. 1/3 is gone, 1/3 is damaged and 1/3 is fine. Lots of moisture though perhaps what is left will fill out well.

Kendell

Update on the crops !

2011-07-04T20:16:00.000-07:00

The weather was wet in Manitoba and South Eastern Saskatchewan... It made seeding this years crops difficult for many. Canola is such a small seed (there can be about 400,000 seeds in one bushel... when you are selling canola you can get about $12.00 a bushel... buying it as seed it can cost $8 a pound. 50 pounds in a bushel) All this to say farmers can be very creative in seeding with special equipment when the fields are too wet for traditional methods. Spreading the seed with systems that blow it on top are common... This year people were seeding with airplanes and even helicopters!
Our Kernels of Hope crops went on to land that was more suitable and they are looking good ! A wise man named Wayne (of Minnedosa ) said this winter that it is always hardest to grow a crop when the price per bushel is high ! The prices are great now too !
The Peas at Strathmore, the wheat at Kinistino, the canola around Brandon and Norquay and the Marvins wheat at Brandon are all doing just fine. We will show you pictures as we progress. Hudyes of Norquay and Dormans of Colorado are putting more producers than ever together who will be adding Kernels acres in !
The fields in North Kivu of the Congo are ready for working but some will need tools and seed and fishing supplies to get things in gear, We trust you will help if you can ! We are ready and poised to make a big difference again ! Grow with us !

Peas Please !

2011-06-27T04:02:00.000-07:00

The Tiede's of Strathmore are Canadian Farmers who make the words Peas Please possible at meal time in many parts of the world ! Darren and Cheryl are our longest participating real Kernels Farmers ! This year they are growing Yellow Edible Peas for us ! Here's the scoop !

CDC Meadow is a new yellow pea variety from CDC Saskatoon.

( Is there any one good at shelling peas ? We'll let their combine do that !)

Yellow peas
CDC Meadow had good yield and good lodging and powdery mildew resistance in the Co-op registration trials, and was a strong performer in provincial regional trials. It is about three days earlier maturing than most of the other CDC varieties. Certified seed of CDC Meadow will become widely available in 2009 and 2010.

Hyas Canola

2011-06-14T04:15:00.001-07:00

Hyas is a very small town in Saskatchewan ! It is in a very important location though because it is in the Heart of Kernels country ! It is just a few miles west of Norquay where Kernels began and has been continuing ever since ! We are please to welcome Warren and Pam Newberg aboard as some of our real farmers this year. They offered last year and have been waiting since ! They have 20 acres of canola seeded for us and it is up and growing and has already been sprayed for weeds !
Stay tuned for more details on progress

Ray the Grain Guy

New Video from Congo!

2011-06-03T07:09:00.000-07:00

Helping End Hunger in Maniema

In Maniema, a province in the centre of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Canadian Foodgrains Bank and World Relief Canada work with Tearfund to help people feed themselves and their families.

Together, they have provided assistance to over 5,500 families over the past three years

Good Earth !

2011-06-02T16:52:00.000-07:00

Dave Mazier farms with his wife Cathy just north of Brandon, Manitoba. He is in the elevator where I work quite often and has taken an interest in Kernels ! This year he offered to be one of our real farmers by seeding 10 acres of Round up Ready Canola . It is a hybrid seed... Making it one of the higher yielding varieties. It is called VT 500... It has excellent lodging resistance. That doesn't mean it likes to stay away from hotels... it means it won't lay flat on the ground unless you drive over it ! It is also R to Blackleg. Blackleg could be a pirate but in this case it is a disease that robs health and yield from Canola plants.
He actually got it seeded May 26. It has had lot's of rain on it since but I am sure it will survive and thrive... Dave's farm name is Good Earth Farms ! How can we go wrong ! Stay tuned .

Van Heyst canola

2011-05-24T19:57:00.000-07:00

Just about 15 km north of the deep Assiniboine River where the river is overflowing its banks in Brandon is he Ron and Fran Van Heyst Kernels field ... The canola planted there Friday ( May 20 ) will help us over flow the banks also ! The bank accounts that will contribute to World Relief Canada and the CFGB and then the partners in North Kivu Congo !
Earl of VR Farms put the crop in for us. It is also an Invigor canola. 8440 is the variety. Big bushels from a small seed and a small field promise big things for those in need.
Stay tuned for progress on this field !

Ray the Grain Guy

Canola and Canola

2011-05-24T19:23:00.000-07:00

May 18 was a good day at Kernels !

Last year Kendell at Melfort tried and tried to seed the crop and got wet every time !

The land lay fallow for the year... resting and waitin for an opportunity like we had now to get the canola seed in along with just the right nutrition to produce some Big Bushels in '11 !

We got 70 acres of Invigor L130 canola seeded ! This is a high yielding seed that uses Liberty as the chemical for weed control ... sometimes it needs to be sprayed once , sometimes twice ...

Kendell had lotsa help putting the crop in with good citiizens popping up everywhere !

We talked over where we could sell some of the crop...planning ahead ... storage of the crop would not be easy... so... on Friday with the seed planted we sold 15 tonnes of canola in advance.. We will haul it to Viterra in Sept 2011 and get $541.84 per tonne ... there are 44.092 bushels of canola in a metric tonne and that means we will get $12.29 per bushel for this 15 tonnes. That is a very high price historically ! Now we can watch the progress of the crop and see if we should set the price on any more !

In the pictures you will see the seeding operation and the sign that stands by the field.... Thanks so much to all those that contributed !

Grow with us Launch Letter 2011

2011-05-02T18:47:00.000-07:00

Wide Open Spaces " Memories with a Future"

2011-04-27T19:50:00.000-07:00

These are a few more pictures from the partnership that Kernels of Hope had with Neelin's

" Wide Open Spaces " The shows provided a great chance to get more people involved in being Kernels of Hope Virtual farmers for 2011 and giving a much brighter future to the Congolese of North Kivu !

Student Sized Acre $20.11 for 2011

2011-04-27T18:35:00.000-07:00

Here is the Student Sized Acre display that we had set up in the Concert Hall Lobby during the Neelin High School's musical Wide Open Spaces. Since $200 for a full acres cost of production can be daunting for many students I decided to go with a smaller more reachable individual goal of $20.11 for 1/10 of an acre during the musical. We set up the display to show how a little sacrifice here can make a big difference in the Congo. On the left we had some empty Tim Hortons cups and a Movie sized softdrink. If you added up the cost of some coffees and a movie you are into $20 in no time ! So...If you just gave that much up you could invest as a virtual farmer in growing a crop here on the prairies this summer. So maybe with a good yield and good prices that $20.11 will turn into $40 worth of crop. (see the center of the display)
Then we give that crop to the CFGB through World Relief Canada and CIDA matches the $40 by a factor of 4 to 1.... Now you have $200 created from you giving up a few coffees and a movie... That $200 will be sent to a partner in North Kivu , Congo to provide seed and tools ( see the right side of the display) for farmers in the Congo to produce crops for at least 10 families there this year... Amazing but true.
That size of donation can be done anytime this year... Camps, Sunday Schools and individuals of any age can help ! We'll keep the momentum of the show going ! Grow with us in 2011

Ray the gRaYn Guy

Wide Open Spaces Helps sow Kernels of Hope

2011-04-24T16:59:00.000-07:00

We had a great opportunity to partner with the Neelin High School in Brandon last week as they performed an original musical written by their own Melissa Lausman. It was Country at its best ! You can see more about the event at the Neelin High School website. www.brandonsd.mb.ca/neelin
( If you'd like to read the Brandon Sun article above just click on it and it should make it bigger for you ! )There were 4 public performances at the Concert Hall in Brandon. I was able to make a presentation explaining Kernels to the whole crew at the start of the week... then we set up a booth in the lobby of the concert hall for all 4 public shows. We had a lot of interest and good conversations and sold the equivalent of 6 acres for Kernels for 2011 ! It was an easy sell as Carolyn Gwyer the musical director shared some of her passion for helping others with the students and encouraged them to have their families help out Kernels ! It's easy to "sell " a project that is win win win ! Melissa Lausman gave us the quote of the week when she said
" Ray...you could sell Ketchup flavoured popsicles to ladies with white gloves !!! "

Wide Open Spaces

2011-04-13T20:09:00.000-07:00

This is the Big Week ! The Neelin High School in Brandon put on 4 public shows of their original musical Wide Open Spaces at the Westman Centenial Concert Hall. This year they are promoting Kernels of Hope as their charity of choice... Awareness and funds for virtual farming will be rolling in ! April 14, 15 and twice on the 16 th !

Get Ready, get set, Grow !

2011-03-20T13:48:00.000-07:00

We are getting ready to farm at Kernels again ! Our first 3 years we took on the project in Suakoko , Liberia... We met the needs there at the time. Then this past 3 years we helped in South Awiel County in Southern Sudan... helping people that were resettling to get a fresh start in farming and fishing and supporting their loved ones.
This spring we will start a 3 year project helping people in North Kivu , Congo. It's on the east side of the Congo... The Congo used to be called Zaire.... Try a google search and learn more about the country.... It has a fascinating history and we know that through programs like this we can help to improve the future for at least some people there. Stay tuned for more details coming soon !

Ray the Grain Guy

100huntley.com - Virtual Farming Helps Farmers Around The World

2011-02-05T10:18:00.000-08:00

100huntley.com - Virtual Farming Helps Farmers Around The World

One Hungry Planet

2011-02-05T10:04:00.000-08:00

Kernels of Hope 2011

2011-02-05T09:49:00.000-08:00

We are just finalizing which project to move to for the next 3 years. There are needs and ooportunity in the Sudan and in the Congo that World Relief Canada is near to completing proposals on. I will keep you posted ! All I know is ... We are not done farming !

Ray the Grain Guy

Fields for 2011

2011-02-05T09:46:00.000-08:00

We are currently lining up real farmers for Kernels land for 2011.
We have some in Manitoba , Saskatchewan and Alberta... any other takers out there ?

Ray the Grain Guy

It's a Wrap for 2010 !

2011-01-03T14:15:00.001-08:00

2010 has drawn to a close. That's not a surprise. To me the surprise fro Kernels of Hope was that it was a very good year for us again ! We were farming together this year to help provide people in South Awiel County in Sudan seed and tools for farming and fishing equipment to help people resetlling after years of civil war to reestablish their farming operations and lives ! Food was also provided for better nutrition for many mothers and children. The effects of this project will be felt for more than one generation !
Kernels of Hope as part of the Evangelical Covenant Church of Canada contributes the money and grain raised through real farmers in Canada with the sponsorship of virtual farmers like you to the Canadian Foodgrains Bank through World Relief Canada to program with partners in countries of dire need. The Canadian International Development Agency (a branch of the federal government ) matches the funds by adding $4 for everyone we raise ! That's the same as multiplying by 5... I didn't like multiplication much in school but I like it now ! We also have a huge contributor called "Helping Feed the World " which is quarterbacked by the Hudye's of Norquay, Saskatchewan . They have been organizing producers in their area to commit the entirevalue of 10 acres of crop each. This alone got us $29,980 in 2010. Multiply that by 5 and you get $149,900 Wow !
The above may seem like a lot of partners but in this case it is a good thing ... We can safely say it is a great thing. We are able to put needed resources directly into the hands of the poorest of the poor while increasing awareness of how people can get involved even more. Is there a more important industry than farming to accomplish this than agriculture ?
The surprise of such a good end result in 2010 was because of the struggle most of the prairies had with the weather during the growing season this year. We see the climate in most of the world has been different than in the past. We in Canada and the U.S. have some ability through forecasting and equipment and refined farming methods that fight the weather to a certain extent. Just think of farmers in many countries that don't have any of these advantages !
Our newest farmers the Arndt's of Melfort did everything possible to seed 70 acres of grain for us but the rain didn't stop long enough for the seed to be planted... They are ready and willing to try again in 2011 !
The Sandstroms of Minnedosa had too much moisture to seed at the best time but they still got the wheat in the ground late in spring. The foe of farmers Mr Frost came and took a bite out of the yield ( Still a respectable 40 bushels per acre ) and the quality of this crop. These bushels are in the bin but will be sold by spring. We should break even dollarwise on this field.
The Tiede's of Alberta seeded a Kernels field again ! They have been our most frquent farmers ! They seeded wheat very early in the season but dealt with monsoon like weather and the season seemed to drag on forever ! The yield ended up very high, 65 bushels per acre on each of the 30 acres . Darren did some good negotiating and was able to sell it as # 3 with 14% protein. ( Wheat like this for bread can range from 11% to 16% protein and the higher the protein the more money you get ! )
The Brandon area was less weather challenged and the Van Heysts on highway 10 got 50 bushels / acre of # 1 CWRS 14.1 % protein. This was farmed by Earl Van Renselaar. They are planning to seed canola for us on the same field in 2011 !
The Marvins seeded their canola (Dekalb 7265 ) for Kernels late in the spring but it caught up just fine and produced 40 bushels per acre of # 1 canola for us ! The prices of canola have been very good this year. Good prices and good yields put together makes more math that I like !
We tried to get you a Grow Camera shot of this field. One picture snapped every day but my tech skills still need some work... no pictures were saved at all... nice idea tho!
Jardine Family Farms at Brookdale, Manitoba grew 20 acres of canola for Kernels in 2010. Grant thought it could have yielded more but it still ran 40 bushels per acre and that is great for this year. We got $10.17 / bushel for that canola. Over the past 25 years anything over $10 / bu has been great.
The Vanbursteden's of Kinistino, Sk were beginning to watch for wood to construct an Ark because of the heavy rains . They were able to seed 50 acres for us and had a chance to harvest it when the seeds were mature but damp. Even after drying the crop we got $9,95 per bushel for the 30 bushels per acre we were able to harvest. Canola seeds are tiny . Each one is made up of about 42% oil ... when processed we get cooking oil and margerines from the oil and livestock feed from the meal (the leftover dry matter ) One seed might be the size of this . x 4
There are around 400,000 seeds of canola in a bushel. A bushel weighs 50 pounds. The seeds themselves are small ... but just like people helping in any of the CFGB programs ... put them together with others and you really have something of great value !
Rounding out our spuerb farming team were Rock and Nicole of Norquay ... where it all began ! They have a funny shaped field right by the church that was blessed with 411 bushels of canola. Rock was able to do even better on the prices and got $12 / bu.
Once again we had a cash crop ... that is where we have more virtual farmers than real acres by the end of the year. Those funds get an automatic no risk 4 to 1 match from CIDA !
Now for the drum roll .... When you put all of the above together we get a best ever Kernels total of $457,000 for 2010 ( this includes the matching funds ) Added to our previous 5 years this makes about $1.7 Million . I believe God has blessed this project and is using you and it to help sooooo many people. No one deserves to be hungry in this day and age. There is enough food to go around if it is done right. We are helping with that ! Thanks so much to all that were able to help in any way this year. If you intended to give and didn't quite get around to it we will be farming again in 2011 . You can help though the Evangelical Covenant Church of Canada website through a credit card on Canada Helps or you can mail a cheque to
ECCC Box 34025, RPO Fort Richmond, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3T5T5 The cheques should be made to ECCC but mark Kernels on the note line.
May 2011 bring you Peace, Health, Happiness, No Hunger and Good Crops !
and may we never take these things for granted.

Ray the Grain Guy

It's Nearly Christmas !

2010-12-18T08:17:00.000-08:00

We had a long and late crop season this year. We just about have all the numbers gathered up from this years harvest. We had the Arndt's field in Melfort stay unseeded because of too much rain. The other fields fought the rain but in the end we had mostly pleasant surprises and relatively high grain prices ! I will have some real totals for you within the next two weeks but can safely say we ( Kernels of Hope ) (together with the CIDA matching funds) will have raised crops and money worth in the neighbourhood of just under $400,000 in 2010
Thankyou for any part you have had in helping the poorest of the poor...
We have done well ! I can only imagine the difference this will make !
I will post again before the end of the year ! (Not post as in Fence )

Ray the Grain Guy

Getting involved Update info

2010-11-06T03:04:00.000-07:00

If you would like to learn more about the Farming project take a look at these posts...

If you would like to get involved helping us farm by being a Virtual Farmer you can contact me at raybaloun@hotmail.com
or you can go to our website to donate now . Evangelical Covenant Church of Canada at www.canadacovenantchurch.org There you will see a blue button on the left that says Donate now. That takes you to Canada Helps . When you get there you just choose Kernels of Hope as the designation. You will be issued a tax receipt. Please send me your email address if you'd like to be updates throughout the growing season or simply check this site for updates throughout the year. Thankyou for thinking of others in this way !

Cheques can also be sent to

ECCC Box 34025 RPO Fort Richmond, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3T 5T5

Make the cheque to ECCC and write Kernels on the note line at the bottom ! A receipt will be mailed out !

If you would like help starting something like this in your own area, congregation or denomination I am willing to help get you started off on the right foot !

Ray the Grain Guy

Poverty Perspective from Laurie Cook of WRC

2010-10-17T18:52:00.000-07:00

Oct 2010
So here I am again putting together another edition of Poverty Perspective and I feel like I need to come with a Mea Culpa. There is something extremely humbling about writing a post regarding abject poverty and food scarcity when I just finished a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner surrounded by family, great friends and a fully ridiculous amount of food. I am originally from Texas, so I will readily admit that I come from a culture of food. There is nothing that is done in Texas that does not include eating. "If it's worth doing, it's worth doing while eating " is a state motto down there. Sometimes I think that over here in North America food is so easy that we take it for granted. Food is like a wonder drug to us - there is nothing it can't cure or be the answer for.

New neighbour ? Take them some food! A friend is sick ? Let's make casseroles! Invited to someone's house for dinner ? Take dessert ! Having an early morning meeting ? You can't go wrong with donuts ! Birthday ? Bake a cake ! Thanksgiving ? Bake a pie ! Christmas ? Make a fruitcake ! (Although I have never done this or seen someone do it... in fact I have a theory that there are only a dozen fruitcakes in existence and they keep being "re-gifted" year after year.)Easter ? How 'bout Paska! Valentines Day ? Cupcakes for everyone! Canada Day ? Let's Bar-B-Q !! Church Annual General Meeting ? Make it a Potluck !

You name the event, there is a food that is appropriate here in North America. This is our world, our ethos, our culture, our social expectation. I recently found an online calendar that lists all the "special days of the year" and sat there aghast at the extensive list including "International Homemade Cookie Day" and "National Cold Cuts Day" and "National Pastry Day" and an entire "Asparagus Month " and other such nonsense. I don't want to demean asparagus oor any other vegetable for that matter, but do we really need a day (much less a whole month) to celebrate it ? This entire exercise seems to have become absurd (unless my wife is reading this and then homemade cookie doesn't seem like that much of a stretch ... maybe we can celebrate that one).

But honestly, we have come to the point that we completely and totally take food for granted. We are creating reasons to eat things. Which is funny because we already have a perfectly good reason for eating. It's called hunger. It's the point where our body says. "help me out here, I am running out of energy." It is also the point that we seem to sprint right past on Thanksgiving Day as we load up our plate for the second time - because there wasn't room to get some of everything the first ime we filled it. (Of coure maybe we just have small plates)

But seriously, we have so much food, so readily available that we just naturally expect it to be there for us. Getting food for us is easy. We are hunter/gatherers. We hunt for a parking space at the grocery store and then gather everything we want in our baskets before checking out. Truth is, we have lost touch with the concept of need. We are used to simply getting, and when we can't, we lose all sense of reason. I know - I saw this firsthand at the grocery store on the Saturday before Thanksgiving as two women were coming to blows over who would get the last packet of sage. I'm not kidding. They were hollering and threatening each other like this was the world's only packet of life saving medicine for their children. I stood there somewhat bemused and partially in mouth-gaping awe at the spectacle of them. The show was cut short when the store manager, we'll call him Solomon, offered to get two ziplock bags and let the women split the contents of the package evenly. The crisis was averted, two families got the appropriate amount of spice on their stuffing, and no one was injured. I also realized that I was feeling somehow superior as I stood there because I knew I had plenty of sage in a small jar in my pantry at home.

Why am I telling you all this? Because there is another day coming up on the calendar soon - October 16th is World Food Day. World Food Day is a world-wide event designed to increase awareness and understanding of, as well as to promote year-round action towards the alleviation of hunger. I am not advocating ways that we celebrate or even recognize World Food Day in this post. What I am doing however, is suggesting that we might want to take some time, after we emerge from our post-Thanksgiving meal stupor, to think about those who do not have the privilege of celebrating every conceivable event in their lives and communities with feasts. Those for whom the words "food security" do not mean "keep the pies on the counter so the dogs don't get them before dessert" like they did in my house growing up.

Men nd women who struggle to feed their families every other day because eating two days in a row would deplete their scarce food supply too quickly. Stop and give them a few moments of your time and thoughts today. Offer up some honest prayers for them, and for us - because there is something wrong with the balance in the world. And while you are doing that, maybe take a second to consider how far your dollar goes towards feeding those families when we get those four quarters matched at the Canadian Food Grains Bank and then multiplied by the Canadian International Development Agency.

How far will it go? $9 to $1 is the answer. NINE to ONE. For every dollar you give we can send an additional nine more dollars overseas. That's $10 that can feed families. $10 that can train farmers to grow more and better crops. $10 that can provide the basic tools necessary to meet the agricultural needs of a community. And that's if you give just a single loonie.

I truly do hope that you had a blessed Thanksgiving weekend. I hope the time with your family was rich. I hope the laughter around the table was loud and heartfelt. I hope the fellowship was life giving. I hope you got to eat something as good as the buttermilk pie I made for my friends (because, that might be the best pie in the known world).

But with all of that, I hope you stopped to be thankful for all that God has given us - we truly are blessed. I can tell you that we at World Relief Canada stopped and thanked God for you this Thanksgiving. You are the most iimportant partner in all we do. Without you, there would be no World Relief. You are the reason we can continue Cultivating Hope and Growing Communities. And that is worth putting a special day on the calendar to say Thanks!

All in !

2010-10-13T04:18:00.000-07:00

We just got word that the Tiede's got the wheat harvested in Alberta. Yield was approx 60 bu an acre... that's very good.. There are some quality issues because of the hard life it led this season but we are working on it !

Progress

2010-10-11T18:24:00.000-07:00

We have been making great progress for harvest lately ! 6 of our 7 fields have reported they are harvested... Here is an update of recent happenings.

Rock Olson did get the canola harvested on the edge of Norquay, Saskatchewan. We got 410 bushels of canola from that field. 41 bushels per acre. Will release the $ bu on that part soon.

The way the year looked 41 bu is verrrry nice ! All of the grain prices have been improving lately so that will help us raise more $ but that often makes it harder for people in other countries to access reasonably priced food. We want to keep helping !

Gerald & Darla at Kinistino figured out how to raise canola in near flood conditions. The crop survived to produce 30.5 bushels per acre. That was on a 50 acre field... Not bad at all ! They also were able to get $9.95 / bushel which adds up to a lot of money for our Sudanese partners.

Jim and Bryan with a "y" Sandstrom got the Kernels wheat harvested at Minnedosa this week. The weather here this week was better than at most anytime during the whole growing season. Yield and quality are yet to be determined on this wheat.

We'll tell you more as we go about the harvest. I wanted to add some pictures of what canola looks like when it is mature and ready for harvest. Also I added a picture of the seed size compared to a quarter (25 cent coin ) It is amazing to look at those little tiny seeds and think of how they add up and grow up to become something !

We are looking forward to reports from the Norquay area on the Helping Feed the World initiative that gives such a boost to the Kernels of Hope figures every year.

Taste ?

2010-10-11T18:01:00.000-07:00

Many of you that know me (or people like me ) know that I don't like vegetables !

I just had to show you this action shot of me eating some ! It reminds me how blessed we are to be able to have our choice of food in this country... Can you imagine having barely any food and making a face like that when some food was finally provided ?

Thanksgiving drives the point home even more where we need to not take things for granted and we need to remember those in need. Sometimes people think they can't make a difference in the big picture... Every TV picture is made up of tiny little dots that make a wonderful picture for all to see. Be one of the dots ( I am just helping to connect those dots ) . The worst thing that can happen when you make that decision whether to help in some way or not, is to feel you won't make a difference and you do nothing. It all starts with you. Thankyou for being a part of Kernels !

The Partnership

2010-10-11T17:35:00.000-07:00

Canola

2010-09-22T17:13:00.001-07:00

Those canola fields that were full of the nice yellow flowers this summer have lost their color !
As each yellow flower fell off a pod was formed and the color of the canola was green ! Next the color went to brown as the plants were swathed and left in rows to mature and dry out for harvest. Two of our farmers did get the Kernels Canola off ! Steve and Loni Marvin got theirs into the elevator already. There was 400 bushels from that 10 acre field after dockage was deducted. We priced that at $ 10.00 per bushel a couple of months ago. The price has sneaked up a little higher than that now ! Traditionally $10/ bu is a great price for canola.
Jardine Family farms also told me today that the field is harvested. It isn't in the elevator but will be later this week. We got 37 bu per acre on 20 acres at Brookdale, Manitoba. We got a really good basis on this. The basis is part of the pricing part of a canola contract. Low basis and high futures gives you lot's of money ! Once it arrives at the elevator we will look at the pricing.
It rained again today in southern Manitoba... Harvest seems to be taking a commercial break
... we'll be right back after this message ! :)

The first Kernels field for this year is now Harvested !

2010-09-19T19:22:00.000-07:00

Ron and Fran VanHeyst beat everyone with Earl's help and they took advantage of the brief period of nice weather at the end of August and harvested the wheat ! The wheat graded # 1 and had good protein. The protein is 14.1 . The moisture was just dry at 14.5 %. The dockage was 1.4% Dockage is made up of chaff and straw and broken seeds , weed seeds, dirt and other stuff ! After the dockage % was analyzed the net weight of clean grain ( the stuff we get paid for ) was 7.878 net tonnes.... there are 36.744 bushels in a metric tonne and that means we got 289 bushels. This field was small but bountiful ! This means it ran 50 bushels per acre. Not bad at all for the inclement weather this summer !

You'll see the field after harvest. All that is left is the stubble... Also you'll see Ron and Fuzzy ! Which one is Fuzzy ?

Canola at Kinistino

2010-09-13T18:51:00.000-07:00

Gerald VanBurgsteden wrote on Sept 13 " The canola swaths are sitting in the muck... we had 4 inches of rain last week ! "
There is a slightly positive side...the swaths won't likely blow away in heavy winds when they are wet ! Canola dries out quicker than any other crop when things start to dry... The mud can cause a lot of problems driving the combines and the trucks in . Once in awhile crops need to have some very cold weather to firm up the ground to support the harvest equipment !

The Road to .....

2010-09-12T19:47:00.000-07:00

This picture is worth a thousand words... aren't they all ?

But this one has more meaning than most...

You could interpret this one in the food aid mindset.

See the road beyond Ron's field ? This is a field that has been grown with care and with a purpose. It is being multiplied in yield and value by the nature God has provided and by people across North America teaming up to use the resulting produce to help those in need.

Does this road represent the Road to Africa in this case ? We are helping people resettle in Sudan, Africa to get their lives back to normal where they can grow crops and food of their own.

I think it does. It is also a road that has a destination for the virtual farmers.... We don't know when we will arrive at that destination but I know everyone on that road is on the right track. They have found it in their heart to make a difference helping people they have never met to have a better life ! For the recipients of our farming proceeds I know it is a Road to Hope.

Just imagine unexpectantly getting desperately needed help from across the ocean. It can make a life and death difference to those people and their children and soon their childrens children. Without hope that road would be awfully dark.... Maybe we can take that road using GPS ... God Provides Sustenance ! If we can keep working with others to give others food and shelter and the chance for hope, someday this little road will be a 4 lane highway !

Van Hyst Wheat Just before Harvest

2010-09-12T19:40:00.000-07:00

Ron and Fran's wheat is nearly ready to Harvest ! Earl of VR Farms will be doing the combining.

As the VanHyst wheat grows

2010-09-06T17:44:00.000-07:00

Fasting for Change CFGB

2010-08-31T09:29:00.000-07:00

Go to the CFGB website to find out more about this program !

http://www.foodgrainsbank.ca/
or go directly to this link www.fastforchange.ca/fast_for_change_badges.aspx

You can also get this badge there !

The Olson Canola is swathed !

2010-08-30T16:53:00.000-07:00

The canola at the edge of Norquay is now swathed ! It is laying in nice orderly rows for the final phase of harvest ... the combine ! It usually has to mature about 1 to 3 weeks in the swath depending on how green the canola was cut and how the weather is after it is cut... some people don't even swath canola anymore ! We want the insides of the seeds to be at least 98 % bright yellow and we want the straw to dry down. When the combine rolls it will leave only fine particles in it's wake.

We still have risks at this stage... it could hail on the crop... it could rain and rain and rain... it could get extremely windy and roll and blow the swaths away... Sounds like a big bad wolf but it can happen... the price could also slip away as harvest progresses !

Rock and Nicole Olson Field Pictures

2010-08-07T09:41:00.000-07:00

That's the Norquay Covenant Church int he background !

Here is the 10 acres of 5440 Invigor canola . It's right on the highway 49 at the edge of town.

Pictures taken July 29

Field of Dreams / Helping Feed The World

2010-08-07T08:48:00.000-07:00

Field of Dreams at Norquay
Hudye Soil Services and Hudye Farms have been great supporters of Kernels of Hope since the beginning. Once again this year they have challenged producers in NE Saskatchewan to join Kernels through their Helping Feed the World initiative. Producers pledge to set aside the production form ten acres and donate the entire value to the Canadian Food Grains Bank through Kernels of Hope and World Relief Canada. With the CIDA match of 4 to 1 this may turn out to more than $100,000 again to help people in the South Sudan get back on track farming and feeding themselves through this new start ! See more below

July 29, 2010 At Norquay, Saskatchewan

Hudye Soil Services and Hudye Farms held their annual Field of Dreams day where Producers and ag industry people come to hear excellent speakers and see demonstrations of crops on field scale size trials. Aiming to fine tune new technologies and developments in agronomics to get more yield than most people ever dream of ! Here are some pictures of the day. This is some of the largest farm equipment used anywhere in the world.

Ugly Sweater wears on !

2010-08-07T06:42:00.000-07:00

Larry Fast farms near Rivers, Manitoba. He knows farming and fashion ! He was who started the Ugly Sweater Saga by critiqueing the sweater Ray had bought new for $2 and was wearing . Larry paid $100 to the CFGB if I promised to not wear the sweater ever again. Since that would be $500 with the matching CIDA funds I agreed to the plea. Then Greg wore it for one day! He didn't like the sweater either but he was responsible for a good size pledge from staff and customers for the CFGB. Then the sweater story gets better. This spring I made a CFGB presentation to The Justice Mennonite Church and I challenged Larry to wear it for an entire Sunday . The congregation warmed to the idea of the warm sweater and had lot's of fun at the same time. Larry eventually wore the Ugly sweater and the pledges collected for this effort were $1550. Incredible ! So now my poor taste in clothing matched with my eye for deals has resulted in about $9500 that has went to people in need in Africa. Turning something bad into something good for so many ! Larry's pictures are above ... ( I still think the sweater is kinda okay )

Would anyone like to borrow the sweater ?

Ray the Grain Guy

Rock and Nicole Olson had a farm E I E I OHHHH

2010-08-06T18:14:00.000-07:00

Here's a picture of the ten acres of canola that The Olsons are farming for us in Norquay.... It looks good. There is a little bit that is drowned out but it will yield well ! More pics to follow !

Greg was part of the Ugly sweater story

2010-06-30T18:35:00.000-07:00

Greg wore this Ugly sweater for one full day at work when staff and customers pledged $250 for the CFGB if he did it ! After that Larry Fast took the challenge and they raised $1550 ... with the first $100 paid by Larry for Ray (me ) not to ever wear it again this $2 sweater (new ) has raised $9500 counting the CIDA 4 to 1 Match... I do have expensive taste ! Just no fashion sense !

Jardine Family Farms @ Brookdale, Manitoba

2010-06-27T13:06:00.000-07:00

Here is the canola field on the highway 3.5 miles west of Brookdale, Manitoba

It is looking very good. The excess moisture hasn't hurt it. The variety is 5020 and it is an Invigor variety. Weed control used is Liberty. 5020 is generally very high in yield !

Ron and Fran VanHeyst Wheat

2010-06-27T12:57:00.000-07:00

I put up the CFGB sign at this field on Highway 10 in the Brandon area just north of the Rivers Junction. The wheat was seeded well before the monsoon and it used the moisture nearly as quickly as it came . There are 6 acres here.

The Crop Cam in action !

2010-06-22T21:48:00.000-07:00

We started taking pictures with the crop cam at the Marvins June 22. It is facing south and it will take one digital picture each day for the whole time the canola crop is growing, we will then make it into a video where you can see the crop progress thru to harvest !

Melfort Washed out !

2010-06-22T21:17:00.000-07:00

Here is some real farming for you ! Kendell & Jodine were going to seed their field in Melfort, Saskatchewan for Kernels ! They are rookies but no amount of experience would have overcome the amount of moisture they had this year ! Here is a quote from Kendell that I received today !
" Well it looks like we will not get a crop seeded this year, we came close twice , But it seems not meant to be. We will chem fallow this year and likely do canola next year . "

Oops ! anyway we will still be able to build awareness over the year and be ready for a great crop there in 2011 ! Farming ! Planning , execution of the plans and then you neeeed the weather !

Ray the Grain Guy

On camera !

2010-06-20T17:29:00.000-07:00

Steve and Lonni are returning for a second year as some of our real farmers in the Brandon area. They are growing 10 acres of canola for us. I'll check on the variety this week. It is seeded and just starting to grow !
We are filming the crop this year...not just the harvest ... we are setting up a digital camera to stay in the field all year. It will snap one still picture everyday till harvest. We should be able to watch 100 days of crop growth and change in one 3 minute video when the camera merges all the still shots together. You virtual farmers will get to see the real thing this year !

The camera knows to only take pictures in the daytime ! Should be fun !

Stay tuned !

The Sandstrom wheat

2010-06-14T17:06:00.000-07:00

Jim and Bryan Sandstrom of Minnedosa told me on Sunday that the Kernels field likely wouldn`t get seeded this year because of the extended monsoon season (seems like one anyway ! ) then they texted me today that the field is seeded ! Now we need some warmth. we have the moisture for it !
A crop is like a person.... »It needs nutrition, water, fresh air, a good environment .... and not too much or too little of those to be healthy !

Like they said during the Memorial Cup National Hockey Tournament in Brandon last month
`Go Wheaties Go ! `

Wet behind the ears !

2010-06-07T19:14:00.000-07:00

The rains have been coming steady... too steady. If Bryan and Jim Sandstrom at Minnedosa were growing corn this year for Kernels of Hope they would have corn that's wet behind the ears and everywhere else !
They do plan on growing wheat for us and as of Sunday June 6 it hasn't been seeded.... as soon as the ground dries out a bit...the rain comes again...
Stay tuned and stay dry !

Kendell and Jodine

2010-05-26T21:58:00.000-07:00

Kendell and Jodine Arndt are first time Kernels farmers this year at Melfort, Saskatchewan.
They have a field right in town and will be seeding wheat once it dries up there !

They are first time real farmers this year but have been Virtual Kernels farmers with us for a long time!

Brandon Wheat

2010-05-26T21:54:00.000-07:00

Ron And Fran VanHeyst have their Kernels wheat field seeded on Hwy #10 just north of Brandon. They are first time Kernels farmers. Earl van Renselaar is doing the work on their land ! Thanks to both for helping out ! I will get the CFGB Field sign up there soon !

The Ugly Sweater Gets an Outing !

2010-05-05T17:44:00.000-07:00

Remember the Ugly Sweater ? You can see more about it in earlier postings here...
Larry Fast of Rivers, Manitoba was the one who first sponsored CFGB money to get rid of that Ugly Sweater ! On Sunday May 2 Larry wore it ALL day long! People of the congregation at the Justice Mennonite Church got $1200 together in a fun way of making a huge difference in the world of hunger ! The $1200 when matched 4 to 1 by CIDA results in $6,000 just for that day for the CFGB.... Put that $6,000 with the $2000 from Ray promising not to wear it and Greg Dunn getting sponsored to wear it for the day at work that makes $8,000 from a $2 purchase of the Sweater ! Clothing fit for A King !

It's Launch Time !

2010-04-30T10:23:00.000-07:00

It's Launch Time ! That could be a play on words in some parts of the country...especially when we are talking about Hunger.... but for now I mean it's Launch time for the 2010 Kernels of Hope... As I said earlier, we are farming again in 2010 ! Once again we are going to connect you as Virtual Farmers to real farmers scattered throughout the 3 prairie provinces. We are growing canola and wheat on a total of about 250 acres... We are suggesting it will cost an average of $200 / acre to seed these crops this year. If you'd like to farm again this year or become a first time Virtual Farmer this year please write a cheque to ECCC ( and write Kernels on the note line) and mail to ECCC at Box 34025 RPO Fort Richmond, Winnipeg, Mb R3T 5T5
A receipt will be mailed to you directly from Winnipeg.
Last year, counting the matching CIDA funds Kernels generated $325,000 through the farm ! In 2010 we are supporting Year 3 of the WRC / CFGB Nutrition project in South Awiel County, Sudan. We are keying on improving nutrition especially for babies, children and mothers and are also supplying farming tools and seeds along with fishing equipment. Any where in the world a main goal of people is to be able to support your own family. We are enabling many people to do just that !
Thanks so much for anything you have been able to help with in the past and another thanks if you can grow with us this year !
Till next time ,
Ray the Grain Guy

A Pile of Grain !

2010-03-30T15:06:00.001-07:00

Here's hoping we grow a Pile of Grain like this one this year !

3 fields lined up so far for 2010

2010-03-30T14:28:00.000-07:00

Stay tuned for 2010 crop news !

We have wheat in Manitoba and Alberta
... and canola in Saskatchewan !

Still looking to finalize a couple more fields for the season...

Help others by growing with us !

Ray the Grain Guy

The crop is getting ready for Spring !

2010-03-20T12:14:00.000-07:00

Here's the picture !

2010-03-12T16:40:00.000-08:00

The Ugly Sweater Continues to Grow !

2010-03-12T16:17:00.000-08:00

If that sounds like a story.... it is ! But this is a great story !

Sunday March 7 I had the chance to talk all about the Canadian Food Grains Bank during the Sunday morning service at the Mennonite Church at Justice... Justice is a great name for so many food related projects ! Larry Fast was the Moderator of the service and since he was the farmer who first gave me $100 not to wear the sweater last spring , I thought it verrrry appropriate that during the service I pull out the Ugly sweater and get people to sponsor Larry to wear the sweater he thinks is so Ugly for one whole Sunday. We had lot's of takers... !

This is the sweater that cost me $2 ( new ) at the store (at least it was my size ) and that we have since raised about $1700 counting the matching funds from CIDA !
If you want to see a picture of it Greg is pictured with it on in this Blogs archives...
Ray the Grain Guy

"Helping Feed The World Initiative 2009" A BIG Boost !

2009-12-28T06:51:00.000-08:00

We just got the numbers in from Hudye Soil Services at Norquay.... This is a huge boost to our Kernels of Hope totals for South Sudan from 2009... We had $210,000 including matching CIDA funds last week... On Dec 23 we had this added ! Another $116,000 totalling $326,000 for 2009. Thankyou so much to all those who contributed in any way... You have done a lot by each person just doing a little. Please see the story on the initiative below:

For Immediate Release: Dec 23, 2009

On Wednesday Dec 23, 2009 five local producers presented a cheque to "Kernels of Hope" in the amount of $23,205.75 . Kernels of Hope is affiliated with World Relief Canada and The Canadian Food Grains Bank and donations to it result in a matching donation in a factor of 4 to 1 by the Canadian International Development Agency. This resulted in a total value of $116,028.75 reported by Fallon Hudye of Hudye Soil Services Inc of Norquay, Saskatchewan.

The amount generated is to be directed into programs that provide food for those in dire need and for the purchase of seed and tools to help farmers in Southern Sudan Africa to reestablish there homes , farms and lives said Ray Baloun of Minnedosa, Manitoba who began the Kernels of Hope program in Norquay five years ago.

Krywy Farms, Leis Farms, LTS Grain Farms, Steven Nahachewsky and Hudye Farms stepped up to the plate and participated in the initiative organized by Hudye Soil Services Inc to to have each producer donate 10 acres of a crop of their choice to the project. The hope of the initiative is to potentially "snowball" into many more acres in the future in recognition of the efforts put forth by the farming community to "Helping Feed the World"

In these times when concerns are raised about the ability to produce enough food for a growing global population , producers are eager to rise to the challenge , incorporating all available research to produce more.

" The donation to Sudan provides hope to those who often have none", Baloun said
World news has never before highlighted the problems of hunger and access to food as much as it is now being done and everyone who is contributing in this way is making a huge difference at a time when it is so important.

"A difference is being made around the world from right here in Norquay, Saskatchewan, Canada," Baloun said

2009 Summary

2009-12-17T17:48:00.000-08:00

Howdy !
We don't know everything yet but things have worked out well on our farms overall this year!
The summer was not normal and the harvest seemed to drag on longer than ever fighting the poor conditions. Low expectations for yield and quality were had by most over the season.

Here's where we are at :

Darryl and Delora Doell at Wetaskiwin in the heart of Alberta had a struggle with the weather .
We had 25 acres of Conlon barley there that didn't thrive. It was cool and dry at just the wrong times. We did however have crop insurance on it and since they almost always have wonderful crops the coverage for insurance was high. We got covered for 90 bushels / acre at $3.70 /bu
This is a higher yield than we usually ever can get in Manitoba and the price was higher than anyone else got too ! We still had all the costs of operating it but it did clear abot two thousand for us.

Gerald and Darla at Kinistino pulled in a good crop of Prodigy CWRS wheat from their 50 acres . It hasn't been able to move into the grain elevator yet to know exactly but we are estimating that it will grade # 1 and be about 12% protein... the higher the protein the more money we get . It was dry so that helps a lot for marketing and value and cost reduction... You might call it kissed by the sun ! It ran about 60 bushels per acre ...and should fetch about $5.74 / bu > We'll clear about $8500 there... Pretty good considering it could just as easily have frozen before it was mature this year and been drastically reduced in quality and quantity !

Brian Foxton of the Minnedosa area heard about the project and dropped off a tonne of wheat for us that will throw $217 into the pot.

James and Judy Nelson of Norquay " the Heart of Kernels Country" had Ferris & Lindgren custom farm 30 acres of CWRS wheat for us this year... That's the field I described earlier as being in the Bag ! Well, Stan Unger the Grain Guy of the North arranged to get it into the grain elevator in Kamsack . It was also #1 and higher protein at 13.9 protein We got 43.525 net tonnes of wheat from that field. There are 36.744 bushels in a tonne. The price was higher at $223/tonne . We will net about $4300 from that field.

The Tiede's at Strathmore, Alberta seeded early and were also having a struggle with this years weather. That 30 acres of wheat got delivered to Carseland ... the protein was even higher at 14 and it also graded #1. It had very low dockage... Dockage is stuff that shouldn't be there and that we don't get paid for at the elevator. Dockage can be composed of wild oats or chaff or broken seeds... Similar to parts of peoples lives I suppose... Dockage in grain is much easier to handle though ! We got 45 bu / acre at Strathmore and it will clear about $ 3600

Steve and Loni Marvin of Brandon were first time Kernels Farmers. They grew 10 acres of Wheat for us and it yielded about the same as Tiedes. The protein was 13.2 . This will clear about $1300 for our project. This wheat was delivered to the elevator that I work at north of Brandon.

Andrew & Riordan Dennis had a phenomenal crop of Clearfield Canola at Brookdale, Manitoba
The variety was 45 P 70. It ran 49 bushels per acre and was dry and it graded #1 . You can see the actual canola a couple of posts ago on this website as it was delivered to our elevator. We cleared $4800 on this but then the Dennis' topped that up big time with a donation. They also created awareness of the cause in their area !

Cash Crop Field .... Support was great again from all of you Virtual Farmers. All the actual production costs are covered and there will be about about $12,000 extra. This money also gets matched by CIDA ( Canadian International Development Agency ) at a rate of 4 to 1 normally, through World Relief Canada as a part of the Canadian Food Grains Bank .

Hudye Farms and Soils at Norquay, Saskatchewan will also soon have some totals from the project they contribute to Kernels through Helping Feed the World... There are producers there that are donating the entire value of 10 acres of their crop....

Kernels of Hope 2009 will be able to help the people in South Aweil County in Southern Sudan to farm / fish, supply emergency food and food for work to the tune of $210,000 this year (counting matching CIDA funding ) You can't imagine all the good you have done by supporting this effort. Making a Difference in peoples lives both short term and long term !

Thanks so much to all the real farmers for making this possible and to all the virtual farmers for being truly Outstanding in their Field!
Stay tuned for more updates as they arise.

Till next time,
Here's a short poem for you...
We will farm again in 2010 !

Ray the Grain Guy

Canola Trivia

2009-12-06T11:23:00.000-08:00

One of our fields ( The Dennis's ) was canola this year. One major thing you make from canola is cooking oil... Did you know that one canola producer can produce enough canola seed to give every adult in Winnipeg a bottle of Canola Oil !

Long Harvest

2009-12-06T11:17:00.000-08:00

This has been a Looooooong Harvest Season ! The snow in most areas now has stopped most of the harvest... In many areas people were able to finish with the nice weather in November...
There were many phenomenal unexpectedly high yields in the prairies this year...
The odd timing of the weather had expectations low but in the end the bins filled up quicker than ever !
With the slow harvest it's made the gathering of our info and marketing of our Kernels Fields Crops slower and it has also kept me super busy buying grain at my real job !
Please stay tuned for a wrap up of the season !

Ray the Grain Guy

This is the project we are supporting this year thru World Relief Canada

2009-10-12T11:14:00.000-07:00

Relief, Rehabilitation and Hope in Sudan
After years of war, hope is returning to the Aweil South County in the Northern Bahr el Ghazal region of Souther Sudan, but the need is still great. Families who had been forced to flee the area because of fighting in the region are beginning to return. Although farmers have been working hard to plant crops and create a secure and dependable food supply for the area, their produce will not be enough to provide for a community that is swelling with families returning home. Floods in some parts of the area, as well as poor rainfall patterns in others, have added to the trouble, destroying approximately 35% of the farm produce that families managed to grow. Although the overall malnutrition rate has decreased because of World Relief’s recent relief work in this area, it does still exist to an alarming degree. It must be addressed immediately and for the long-term through building the capacity of local farmers to provide for the needs of their own families and community. In order for the work in this area to truly move from relief (immediate help) to rehabilitation (long-term hope), we must conquer things like the malnutrition rate. It would be too easy for the population to slip backwards in their fight against extreme poverty, instead of move forward as they are so very ready to do. This is no small challenge in a remote community with a huge returning population. It is estimated that over 300,000 people have returned home to Southern Sudan since the signing of the peace accord in 2005. They desperately desire to return to their homes and their lives — as anyone would — but they are returning to communities mired in terrible poverty who have been struggling to meet immediate food needs, let alone plan for the future. That is where World Relief Canada can play an essential role. And we need to do it immediately to stop the malnutrition rate in its tracks, put it in reverse, and then work with the families to move forward in creating a secure and nutritious food supply. The direct beneficiaries of this project are malnourished children and their mothers or caregivers as well as pregnant and lactating women. And who could need our help more? World Relief Canada, with your partnership, will improve the nutritional status of 4500 moderately malnourished children under five and 1000 pregnant or lactating mothers. We will improve the nutritional status of 1000 severely malnourished children under five, while building the capacity of the community and local health staff to diagnose and treat malnutrition themselves. We know that in order for children to grow strong, their families need to be strong and healthy. This project will improve the general hygiene practices of 5500 caretakers of malnourished children and 1000 pregnant and lactating mothers. And to build their future even stronger, we will focus on increasing the availability of nutritious food and teach farmers how to farm even better so that their crops will be diverse and sustainable. The production of a high-energy porridge — using local and available food — will be an indispensable part of what we do in this part of Southern Sudan. We are also working with farmers to acquaint them with the benefits of using their highly-prized cattle as work animals for plowing fields, which increases productivity dramatically. We need your help and partnership to keep this project going. We have seen the difference we are making in this area already. Gardens have been planted. And they are growing. Now is the moment we can begin to move this community from relief to rehabilitation, instead of going back the other way. A five person Canadian Foodgrains Bank (CFGB) Delegation just returned from a visit to South Sudan. WRC is an equity member of CFGB and we are endeavouring to increase our programming in the Aweil Integrated Nutrition program there. This trip was part of the exploring process to make that happen. The Aweil program has been primarily a nutrition and therapeutic feeding program, but during this last year our partner has begun addressing the issue of food security. This includes providing ox plows and training to farmers and their animals. The Dinka people in the area are pastoralists, and keeping cattle is not a new idea. Using the animals for plowing however, requires a new way of thinking, as they typically think of their cattle as an investment. Aweil is an arid area, and in order for a family to feed itself, they need to be able to plow and plant enough land. That is hard to do using a hand held hoe. In addition to the animal traction initiative, farmers have been given good quality early maturing sorghum and millet seeds. This visit was important for WRCanada to share how our partner has been working. It was a good way for us to share the challenges, frustrations and successes of working in a hostile environment, in a very remote part of South Sudan. Other members were able to see what is possible, and are better informed about the high cost of programming in South Sudan, especially as it relates to communication, travel and transportation in this vast land. The needs in South Sudan are overwhelming. Much of the population has lived in camps during the years of war, and have developed a dependency syndrome. We hope and pray that the work being done by our partners will result in people feeding themselves, as they move from dependency to being more fully in control of their lives in days to come.

The difference between Night and Day

2009-10-12T10:15:00.000-07:00

Here are 2 pictures of Gerald And Darla's Kernels of Hope harvest at Kinistino !

Nighttime and Daytime ... The difference being made to people in South Awiel County in Sudan is exactly the same, the difference between night and day...

Thanks to everyone who contributed this year enabling us to improve the lives and give Hope to so many.

The Combining begins at Brookdale

2009-09-29T20:42:00.000-07:00

Aaaannd ...they're off !

The Dennis' canola arrives at Viterra

2009-09-29T20:19:00.000-07:00

This yield Knocked my socks off ! 49 bu /acre

2009-09-29T19:35:00.000-07:00

The Dennis's of Brookdale Kernels Canola field

2009-09-29T19:30:00.001-07:00

Canola Grading

2009-09-29T19:24:00.000-07:00

Here's an actual shot of our canola being graded at the elevator...

You can only determine the value of canola by looking at the inside of it...There are 500 seeds on each strip...you put the tape on and then crush the seeds flat... If they are green inside the canola is not mature...it doesn't makes as good a quality of oil... also it's a lower quality if you find brown or black inside the seed...that means it as , or has begaun to spoil and go out of condition...

This reminds me of people...you can't tell their value by looking at them... In both people and canola... It's what's inside that counts !

Andrew and Ryerson Dennis in the Drivers Seat !

2009-09-29T19:19:00.000-07:00

A lot of planning, ideal weather for canola production and big hearts let's people in Southern Sudan also get some control in their lives !

The Dennis Kernels of Hope Canola Field

2009-09-29T19:13:00.000-07:00

Saturday, Sept 26 in a very quick time...the 5 combines arrived, fired up and ate up the 28 acres of Clearfield Canola... It ran a terrific 49 bushels per acre... Making a difference in a hurry !

Brookdale Canola

2009-09-22T20:14:00.000-07:00

Riordan and Andrew Dennis' canola field at Brookdale, Manitoba

Yields are turning out much better than expected in this part of Manitoba... This is excellent looking canola.... Eat lotsa margarine because we are gonna need room for this crop ! More later ...

Not able to load the pictures tonite . hmmmm

Jim and Judys Kernels Field at Norquay

2009-09-20T19:23:00.000-07:00

Ferris and Lindgren grew the crop for us on Jim and Judy's land at Norquay. It's in the bag... Have you ever seen wheat stored in a bag ? We'll get a guess of the yield for now and more detail later

Darryl making the barley flow

2009-09-20T19:06:00.000-07:00

The yield wasn't as good as hoped but there were some bushels harvested...We'll have more accurate numbers later... We did have crop insurance there and it will make up some of the proceeds...

Pastor Randall took this shot at Wetaskiwin, Alberta

2009-09-20T19:03:00.000-07:00

The Doell's Barley at Wetaskiwin, Alberta

2009-09-02T19:10:00.000-07:00

The Conlin Barley of Darryl and Deloras !

Seeded May 11, harvested soon.... With a whole lotta looking after before during and after its growth !

Jackets Create Shelter in the Sudan

2009-09-01T19:02:00.000-07:00

On July 30 Hudye Soils and Hudye Farms once again presented one of the biggest Ag Days of the Prairies ...Field of Dreams ! This is an annual event at Norquay, Saskatchewan that shows all of the latest ways of growing bigger and better crops. Hudyes have been terrific supporters of Kernels of Hope and the CFGB through their Helping Feed the World initiative. I was able to give an update to the crowd on Kernels and the CFGB and the Sudan while promoting the purchase of Field of Dreams 2009 jackets... The Jackets were sold at $50 each and every penny of that went towards Kernels of Hope ! Farmers are often used to gettin free jackets at promotional events but 40 people spent $ 50 each that night ! That makes $2,000 ...If that is matched by CIDA at 4 to 1 that makes $10,000 for people in need ! Really amazing how it adds up...

There will be more later on the producers in the area that are donating the entire proceeds of 10 acres each to Kernels this year...

Prodigy at Kinistino

2009-09-01T18:57:00.000-07:00

Darla isn't really the Prodigy... that's the variety of wheat in our Kernels Field at Kinistino ! They both look great on August 19th !

Marvin Wheat at Brandon

2009-08-31T18:48:00.000-07:00

Some of the Wheat from Steve and Loni's farm got combined and delivered to the elevator at Brandon today

It's grading and yielding well !

This is the wheat a couple of weeks ago !

The Ugly Sweater Day

2009-08-31T18:34:00.001-07:00

You've already heard about my ugly sweater purchase ... $ 2 brand new at Walmart ! Farmer Larry came in and was quite critical of it and ended up donating a crisp $100 bill to Kernels if I promised to take it off and never wear it again... Done ! Before he came in coworker Greg had many of the same comments... makes you look heavy, makes him dizzy, Should lean over sideways so the stripes are vertical ... so.... we challenged him. We gathered up $265 Friday August 28 and he wore that sweater at work ALL Day long ! .... He was a great sport about it, now lets do the math, $100 plus $265 = $365 X 5 because of CIDA's 4 to 1 match = $1825 for a $2 investment

The story is not over because Larry has now agreed to wear it for a day for pledges also ! Good Fun while helping people so much.... It doesn't get any better than that!

A letter from Saskatchewan

2009-07-24T18:45:00.000-07:00

Ray,
This spring our grandson asked why I didn't plant the seeds hanging in a little plastic bag on our fridge - wheat seeds that we received last year. What a great idea! - so we have one short row of wheat in our garden. Every time I go out there, it reminds me of the Kernels of Hope wheat fields and how God is blessing the Canada Covenant's committment. Attached is a picture of our small wheat "field"! Since I grew up in a city, I am really enjoying watching it grow!
Jim and Carolyn

Here's the Barley story from Darryl in Alberta

2009-07-24T18:42:00.000-07:00

The barley field is quite the sight. We started very cold and dry. In may we had more nights of frost than nights with not. We have had only about 2 inches of rain this year and most of that in the last 2 weeks. This has lead to a patchy germination of the seed. The plants then sent up less tillers (smaller extra heads) than normal. When we recieved the rain the plants started making different decisions and either germinating or sending up 2-3 more heads. If we continue to have showers the plant will try to finish these new heads. To do this we will need no frost well into september if we are to finnish these heads. If we get hot dry weather the plant will adjust by not filling these new heads. To be honest we just have to wait and see what will happen.
The new twist for the year is that because it was so dry when we normally sprayed not all the weeds germinated when they were susposed to. With the latest rain we now have many broadleaf weeds starting to grow. We must spray them now or they will be in the way for harvest. We cannot swath because the crop is to short and we cannot kill the Roundup volunters with preharvest spray. Well no one said that every year would be the same.
Well thats where we are at.
Darryl Doell

Update for July 14 / 09

2009-07-14T20:08:00.000-07:00

The Kernels fields are looking good ! Some were too dry earlier. If the soil is too wet in the early life of a crop the crop doesn't send roots down deep because they can get all they need right on the surface...but crops are like people... If they build a good healthy root system when they are young they have something to fall back on in times of adversity ! A deep rooted crop can reach moisture and nutrients that can help it thrive when the heat comes. We have 170 acres total this year in the 6 fields and have the expenses covered for about 140 right now. If you were planning on farming this year we still need help ! The Dennis' canola missed the early frost and is catching up well.... The Marvin's wheat is headed out at Brandon and you can see pictures from last week on the website ...click on this to get there www.kernelsofhope.blogspot.com Darren of Strathmore gave this update today when I asked how the wheat was doing ! "Well, I wish I could tell how its doing. Had every curve ball thrown atus this year, and yet wheat has held fairly well. On the plus side wereceived 2 in. of rain yesterday so what is there should fill nicely. Atthis point I think we can look forward to a decent crop. This year isproof that God does have a sense of humor! Gerald and Darla of Kinistino reported this on the wheat there...
"The wheat crop is in the flag stage which is about 10 days behind normal due to the cool weather. Other than that it looks okay. "

Wetaskiwin had very little rain but I know in early June the Doell's said the cereal crops were doing better than the oilseeds there . ( Oilseeds are crops like canola , flax and sunflowers )

I haven't heard specifics on the Nelsons Norquay field but I know the area is doing fine...Now we need the warmth... Global warming could kick in a bit for us this summer...

Sudan has been in the news recently and is needing help this year more than ever... Together we'll be able to make a significant difference there this year...

Happy Farming !
Ray the Grain Guy

The Marvin's Kernels field at Brandon

2009-07-14T19:56:00.000-07:00

Steve and Loni have their green thumbs working ! Here's the wheat during the first week of July. Starting to head out ....

News from the CFGB

2009-06-30T21:15:00.000-07:00

One Billion Hungry – In June the FAO released its new estimates on levels of hunger, estimating a historic high in 2009 of one billion people going hungry every day. The FAO notes that the most recent increase in hunger is not the consequence of poor global harvests but is caused by the world economic crisis that has resulted in lower incomes and increased unemployment. This has reduced access to food by the poor. A dangerous mix of the global economic slowdown combined with stubbornly high food prices in many countries has pushed some 100 million more people than last year into hunger and poverty.

Our Canola at Andrew and Riordan Dennis'

2009-06-29T17:15:00.000-07:00

Andrew says the canola is off to a good start. We have the 30 acres in 2 fields right at the edge of Brookdale, Manitoba... It has just been sprayed for weeds...
It is a Clearfield type of Canola... meaning it can be sprayed for weeds with chemicals that will kill most everything except the canola....
The variety of Canola is 45P70
We bought 3 22.7 kg bags of seed. Each bag covers 10 acres.

Here is a description of 45P70

It is an Argentine Hybrid ... The seed costs about $38 / acre Seeding rate is about 5 pounds per acre... It is a good yielder at 121 % of the check variety...
It is Resistant to the disease Blackleg and to Fusarium Wilt.
Lodging tolerance ( ability to stand up ) ... Very Good
Maturity Medium - early maturity
Height 3 cm taller than the check

We'll get you a picture of it as it matures !

An Acre ?

2009-06-04T08:18:00.000-07:00

How big is an acre?

Acres can be any shape but they are always 43,560 square feet in area !

Most Canadian farmers did not adopt hectares when the metric system arrived

In western Canada land was divided in 1 mile square parcels called sections.

There are 43,560 square feet in 1 acre, there are 640 acres in 1 section...

I have heard of a Hector on a prairie farm but I think he was someones Uncle !