Thursday, January 19, 2012
Five Farm Bureaus raise donation through grain drive
BY KATIE BORUFF
The Henry, Mercer, Rock Island, Stark, and Whiteside county Farm Bureaus recently wrapped up their second annual "Bushels for Hunger" grain drive for the RiverBend Foodbank, collecting $22,258.70.
The District 3 County Farm Bureaus began a relationship with the food bank several years ago when the Harvest for All campaign netted a check to the food bank for $750.
In 2010, IFB District 3 Director Wayne Anderson and IFB District 3 Young Leader representative Todd Verheecke decided to see if there was interest in a districtwide grain drive for the regional food bank.
The first Bushels for Hunger kicked off in August 2010 with farmers donating grain to any of the participating elevators until Nov. 30. The program that year yielded more than $9,500 for the food bank.
Each of the county Farm Bureaus reviewed the first-year project and agreed to continue again in 2011 with increased publicity and more participating elevators to accept farmers' grain donations.
The 2011 Bushels for Hunger kicked off in August with 11 participating elevators, including two ethanol plants.
Verheecke, a Henry County young farmer, said, "We were pleased with the amount of grain donated in 2010. We knew we could grow in 2011. And, quite honestly, we're ecstatic."
Anderson said the program is a great way for farmers to help families in need during the holiday season and it is humbling for farmers to donate grain that will provide more than 100,000 meals in the Quad Cities region.
The Farm Bureaus offered thanks to the following elevators and ethanol plants for their participation in the program: ADM Grain, Atkinson Grain, Big River Resources, Cargill, Gold Star FS, Hillsdale Elevator, Michlig AgriCenter, Patriot Renewable Fuels and CGB, Kistler Prairie Mill, River Gulf Grain, River Valley Cooperative, and Rumbold & Kuhn.
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Katie Boruff is manager of the Henry County Farm Bureau. She can be reached at 309-937-2411.
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