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 !
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Saturday, October 22, 2011
Covenant News
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
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 !
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
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
Friday, September 9, 2011
CBC Radio For Friday Sept 9
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
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
Sunday, September 4, 2011
The Marvin Wheat
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...
Saturday, September 3, 2011
As you leave the Melfort Covenant Church
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
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
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
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 !
Harvest Update September 2011
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 !
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 !
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Field of Dreams 2011
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
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
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Goodeve Hard Red Spring Wheat
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 !
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Drought Update in East Africa
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
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
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
An Update from Kendell on the Melfort Canola !
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
Kendell
Monday, July 4, 2011
Update on the crops !
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 !
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 !
Monday, June 27, 2011
Peas Please !
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.
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.
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Hyas Canola
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
Stay tuned for more details on progress
Ray the Grain Guy
Friday, June 3, 2011
New Video from Congo!
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
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
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Good Earth !
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 .
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 .
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Van Heyst canola
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
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
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 !
Monday, May 2, 2011
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Wide Open Spaces " Memories with a Future"
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
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
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Wide Open Spaces Helps sow Kernels of Hope
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 !!! "
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Wide Open Spaces
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 !
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Get Ready, get set, Grow !
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
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
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Kernels of Hope 2011
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
Ray the Grain Guy
Fields for 2011
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
We have some in Manitoba , Saskatchewan and Alberta... any other takers out there ?
Ray the Grain Guy
Monday, January 3, 2011
It's a Wrap for 2010 !
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
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
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