On Sunday, November 16th at 7:30 pm, here at Grace, there will be a Wrap Up meeting for the Grow Hope Niagara 2025 CFGB/MCC grain growing project. CFGB/MCC refers to Canadian Foodgrains Bank/ Mennonite Central Committee.

As you know, this summer was hot and dry, making for
a difficult year in grain growing agriculture. This year’s corn crop
reflects that stress, and hearing about this year’s project from field manager Larry Dyck will give you a clearer picture of some of this year’s farming’s dynamic.
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We will also hear that evening from MCC Ontario’s Heather Gallian about current issues regarding aid and development abroad. It is hoped that a representative of CFGB will also be there to share. We welcome all who are interested to come out for all the updates that will be provided.

On March 30th we had an information /fundraising night that many of you attended. That evening included a video report on Gaza food aid and the challenges of that situation and also a reflection on South Sudan and the food insecurity there that is a sometimes forgotten crisis. Christina Philips, Director of Resources and Public engagement had recently been in south Sudan and spoke of the dire need that communities were facing there.
That evening raised $10,300. But we will need more support for this year's corn planting.
A new sign was presented on March 30th and now it has been placed at the roadside in front of the field. It replaced the old sign that was becoming weathered.
Another positive sign is the new corn crop emerging in the cover crop of last year's wheat residue. This spring was a challenging planting season with cold May temperatures and heavy midmonth rains. This made it difficult to get good emergence of the corn crop but it is responding well now. The rows are clearly visible and are more advanced than the picture shows from 10 days ago. We are hopeful now that secondary nitrogen has been applied that the field will progress well. We would be happy for a rain soon to help propel its growing progress.
This project has been a great fundraiser for MCC and CFGB (Canadian Foodgrain Bank) for many years and we hope to continue its influence in making a difference for hungry people
around the world.
Please consider a donation to this project. If by cash or cheque, mark your offering envelope “Grow Hope”. And if by e-transfer, in the message box indicate “Grow Hope”. These donations should be considered as above budget givings. In the past, a benchmark for expenses has been around $200/ acre, but costs have risen in recent years and it will be more this year. There are 42 acres and we will need more than other years to cover costs.
Please consider helping us make it another year of successful fundraising for CFGB/MCC!

The wheat yield from Grow Hope in 2024 was 2,610 bushel from 41 acres = 63.6 bushel/acre.
While the field was planted late in the fall of 2023, it could have yielded better as some later fields in the area were stronger.  But sometimes the land  delivers its own return on its own terms.  Canadian Food Grains Bank was able to contract some of our wheat at the strong price of $8.68/bushel.  So the 63.6 bushel/acre gives a dollar yield of $552.04/acre or $22,633.64 for the whole project.
We are thankful for all who contributed to this year's efforts and hope for another year of good cropping this spring. 
Message from MCC Ontario and Canadian Food Grains Bank

Canadian Foodgrains Bank is a partnership of 15 Canadian churches and church-based agencies working together to end global hunger. They work with locally-based organizations in developing countries to meet emergency food needs, achieve long-term solutions to hunger and work to foster informed action by Canadians and governments to support this international cause.

CFB is proud to be recognized as one of Charity Intelligence Canada’s Top 10 Charities, as they work toward a world where every person is fed and lives with dignity. The local project is Grow Hope Ontario and the contact person is Thomas Neufeld at [email protected] or 905-941-0179.

Canadian Foodgrains Bank – A Christian Response to Hunger
https://foodgrainsbank.ca/