The Food Grains Bank is once again planting for the year to raise funds for overseas aid.

Enns Brothers territory and account manager Peter Hoeppner explains the effort.

"The food grain program is now called Focus, but is part of the Canadian Food Grains Bank. It's an organization that gets together and gets the community together to donate, time, and products. There are farmers that actually donate land for the project. All of the local retailers get together. It's overwhelming what this community of Portage and the surrounding area are doing -- they donate the time, and resources, and land."

He adds he's been asked to participate with equipment, and are using the time for "stick time" to use the product. Hoeppner says a lot of extra soy beans were provided, and a local Hutterite colony provided 70 acres. Wheat's being planted at the Agrium location with 68.5 acres donated by Agrium and Doug Faurschou. 

Focus Canadian Food Grains Bank's grow project for the Portage area chair person Gerald Loeppky talks about one of the local efforts.

Gerald Loeppky"In that case, Agrium and Faurschou Farms are providing the land. Enns Brothers have been gracious enough to supply the equipment and the manpower to put the crop in and look after it, and then take it off later on in the season. So, that's what we do in a number of different locations. This year I believe we'll have about six or seven different locations where we're doing that kind of work -- growing different crops."

Loeppky says the crops are harvested then sold, and the proceeds go toward overseas aid.

The Portage project's been in operation since 2008, and has seen great support from local farmers and agri businesses. Loeppky says the funds raised vary each year depending on the price of commodities. Last year about 340 acres brought in $140,000. He notes what's great about the project is the Canadian government adds to the proceeds going overseas with four times the amount, turning $140,000 into well over $500,000. This year they have about 380 acres.

Loeppky says they could always use more help with funds for seed, fertilizer and chemicals for weeding, and welcome board members who are interested in helping organize their cause.

He notes some land is rent free and in some cases rent is minimal.

If you're interested in volunteering, you can contact Gerald Loeppky at (204) 871-2097 or by email at ggloepp@mymts.net.