Members of the New York Hutterite colony showed up with two million-dollar tractor-seeder units to seed the irrigated quarter section that growing project treasurer Herb Wall had made available this year to grow a crop for the Canadian Foodgrains Bank. The growing project has a long-standing relationship with the colony.

Coaldale Growing Project brings community together

Members of the New York Hutterite colony showed up with two million-dollar tractor-seeder units to seed the irrigated quarter section that growing project treasurer Herb Wall had made available this year to grow a crop for the Canadian Foodgrains Bank. The growing project has a long-standing relationship with the colony.

“We had to stop half of our operation at home because we wanted to come here to seed today,” said New York farm boss Leonard.

When I asked what motivates the colony to expend the time and effort to seed the Foodgrains Bank crop, Leonard responded, “Because it is the neighbourly thing to do.”

Young Hutterite farmers Luke and Philip were driving the equipment, operating the complicated seed drill and cart from their cell phone in the tractor. Based on the weight of the fertilizer and seed, the drill is set so precisely that, after seeding the quarter section, only one pail of seed was leftover.

This year, Nutrien donated 130 bushels of Oreana barley, and XTC seed farm donated 250 bushels of ESMA barley.

“We purposely only grow barley every year because we want this to be a community project. By selling the straw and barley to local feedlots, we include them as part of our community,” says growing project committee member Larry Penner, who directed the seeding operation and fortified the workers with coffee and doughnuts.

Cargill, Nutrien, J.R. Simplot and ICI donated 15 tons of urea and four tons of phosphate fertilizer. Richardson offered an additional two tons fertilizer beyond what was needed for this year.

“The generosity of the business community is just amazing,” said Penner, a member of the Coaldale growing project.

Southern Sun reporter Erica was present to write an article for the Lethbridge Herald.

– Ary Vreeken, Canadian Foodgrains Bank regional representative