I’m writing this on October 5. Yesterday, Share the Harvest (Fort Saskatchewan/Gibbons) harvested almost 300 acres of canola.  It was perfect weather, but summer is definitely changing to fall. Earlier last week, Eckville took off their two wheat fields, also with perfect weather.

Of the 31 projects in Alberta, I think all but two are now done. Mallaig is waiting for a good frost to kill the second growth on their canola. Carstairs’ threshing day is set for Thanksgiving Monday, October 13. 

I’ve attended 18 harvests, and I apologize for not getting to all of them. They are unique, community-building events that seem to motivate and encourage the people, whether many or few, to do what we can to help end hunger.

When I was a kid in Saskatchewan, our dad took us to a lot of church revival meetings, and I find a Foodgrains Bank harvest to have a similar effect. Even better, actually. Revival meetings in harvest dust, and I’m glad so many people come out for them. Thank you, growing project organizers, for making them happen.

Almost every yield has been from good to really good to exceptional.

  • Eckville wheat, for example, yielded 107 bu on dry land.
  • Vauxhall barley came out at 178 bu.
  • Medicine Hat came out at 11 bu, but all the same, they had a lot of people out who stayed for most of the afternoon to witness the harvest and visit with each other, and nowhere does the Bible say to be thankful only when we get plenty.

Harvest 2025

People gathered in a field for a Foodgrains harvest. There is a row of green and yellow combines in the back of the photo.
Leduc harvest, September 25.

Two green combines work to harvest a crop.
Edberg harvest, September 29.

Four people stand in front of a green combine.
Vegreville harvest, September 29.

A group of people stand in a harvested field.
Fort Saskatchewan harvest, October 4.

A person sits atop a vintage self-propelled combine.
Bear Lake harvest, September 13.

Two combines work in the distance taking off a crop.
Eckville harvest, October 1.