Calling all combines

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

A group of farmers and fundraisers want to set a world record by harvesting 160 acres of soybeans in well under 10 minutes on a farm in Perth County.

The project, called "Harvest for Hunger," will raise money for the Canadian Foodgrains Bank. The goal is to gather as many combines as possible in a field and harvest the crop in a very short time. Organizer Randy Drenth says that between 100 and 200 combines will be required to pull this off.

The farm is located on Highway 23 between Listowel and Monkton. The use of the land, planting, spraying and seed have been donated. The mid-September harvest date depends on the weather. A computer program will determine where each combine goes. "We want everybody to make good time and not get in each other's swath," says consultant Elbert Van Donkersgoed, who is helping with publicity. He says the farm is long enough that combines will likely start from both ends.

The 160 acres matches a quarter section in the West, he says. Farmers there harvested 160 acres of cereals quickly. "We'd like to do it faster," he says. The plan is to auction off the crop for about $200,000, says Van Donkersgoed. There may be opportunities to sponsor soybeans at $20 a bushel and raise the value of the donation.

Monies raised by the Foodgrains Bank will go to fund food aid and agricultural development projects overseas. Van Donkersgoed says the project is an opportunity to raise awareness of the project and showcase Ontario agriculture. BF