Corner of Hope kicks off growing season with Blessing of the Seed and Soil event

The 2011 Corner of Hope Foods Resource Bank (FRB) local growing project had a chilly spring day for its annual Blessing of the Seed and Soil held Saturday, April 30. Gathered outdoors at the Larry Straate farm in rural Waukon, Pastor Samantha Houser of Zion United Church of Christ performed the blessing.
Soon the farmers will be in the fields planting about 50 acres designated for this year’s project. Watch for signs at locations across Allamakee County. Crops in 2011 will include conventional corn, soybeans, organic barley and organic hay.
Making land available for the project this year are Jerry, Jan and Joe Sweeney, Willard Kerndt, Dennis Byrnes, Butch and Kevin Fossum, Larry Straate, and St. Patrick Catholic Church of Waukon. Many other farmers will be involved in the tilling, planting and harvesting work during the growing season. As in past years, area agribusinesses will also provide chemicals, fertilizer, fuel and equipment as their important part in this community effort to fight hunger around the world.
This is the seventh year for the Corner of Hope (COH) growing project in Allamakee County. As before, all of the earnings from the sale of crops and other financial contributions, beyond input costs, will be sent to the Foods Resource Bank for 100% equal distribution to Church World Service (CWS), Catholic Relief Services (CRS), and Lutheran World Relief (LWR). This choice reflects the ecumenical cooperation of the COH project in Allamakee County, and it allows the most flexibility in supporting sustainable agricultural programs sponsored by CWS, CRS and LWR.
Food security in other countries is made possible through local programs that include family and village gardens, irrigation and water retention projects, market and seed exchanges, animal husbandry, diversity of crops and nutrition education. These people can also use income from their crops to feed, educate, provide medical care, and house their families.
With the sale of crops and support from churches, banks, businesses and individuals, Corner of Hope has set a goal for 2011 of contributing $40,000. For information about how to participate in the Corner of Hope FRB growing project contact John Prestemon at 563-568-6861.