from the Waukon (IA) Standard
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Corner of Hope FRB local growing project raises more than $29,000 this past season
The 2008 Corner of Hope FRB local growing project collected $29,290 this year through the sale of soybeans, hay and conventional and organic corn from about 50 acres of donated or rented fields. Added to the sale of crops were the generous financial contributions from local families, churches, businesses and banks. Raising more than the $26,000 that was collected in 2007 was possible also because of all the in-kind donations of farm work and equipment, seed and fertilizer, fuel and supplies.
Since the first Corner of Hope project in 2005, over $86,000 has been contributed from Allamakee County. See the Thank You ad on Page 11B of this week's issue for details of all community people involved in this effort to bring food security to hungry people in the world.
A Foods Resource Bank local growing project always starts with land. Special thanks go to the farmers who made the fields available for the Corner of Hope in 2008, including Dennis and Judy Byrnes, Willard and Arlene Kerndt, Joe, Jan and Jerry Sweeney of Village Farm and Home, and Mark and Jennifer Zieman. St. Patrick's Catholic Church also donated the field next to Mt. Olivet Cemetery.
Corner of Hope is one of more than 50 local growing projects in Iowa and more than 200 in 20 states across America. The COH Steering Committee has chosen again to divide the $29,000 raised this year equally between Church World Service, Catholic Relief Services, and Lutheran World Relief. This designation gives the greatest flexibility in starting new sustainable [overseas] agricultural programs as well as supporting ongoing programs such as patio gardens, low-cost water catchment and drip irrigation systems, diversification of crops like sweet potatoes, peas, beans, nuts, grains, spices and milk. Local money from the Corner of Hope extends to [nearly] every continent in the world, starting with the rich harvests in Allamakee County.
Plans are being made for the 2009 Corner of Hope project. Each year brings more farmers and community people getting involved with this effort to end world hunger. Organizers of this year's project wish to express their appreciation for making 2008 successful and are encouraging others to join in the 2009 efforts. The COH Steering Committee welcomes all participation.
Call Maura Jones at (563)568-4421 about ways to help whether as a farmer, business person or caring citizen.