Almost 100 combines have registered to help harvest 160 acres of soy beans this fall.
The soybeans were planted in spring with high hopes. Five farmers from the Listowel area – Richard Van Donkersgoed, Peter Rastorfer, Mike Koetsier, John Tollenaar and Randy Drenth – hope to set a world record and raise $200,000 to donate to Canadian Foodgrains Bank.
So far things are on track. According to Rastorfer, the soybeans are looking good and the group is well on its way to reaching its goal with nearly 100 combines signed on to harvest the crop sometime in the third week of September.
“It’s been a really good response,” said Rastorfer, speaking about the number of combines.
“One hundred combines is the minimum to set the world record, but our goal is to get 150 combines in the field on harvest day.”
The number committed to harvesting the soybeans has increased significantly in the last three weeks, from 55 to 98, thanks to the work of committee, their families, and strong community support.
“We see this event as a celebration of farming and a chance to help those in need,” said Rastorfer.
“It’s great to see the community come together. It’s been the personal invitations that have brought the numbers in.”.
Martine Rastorfer, Peter’s wife, is one of the people visiting farms in the area, explaining the goal of the project and asking farmers to commit their combine on harvest day.
There has also been good support from the farming community and agri-businesses.
In fact, several local businesses – including Stoltz Farm Equipment, Becker’s Farm Equipment, Huron Tractor, Great Lakes New Holland, Delta Power, Premier Equipment, Midwestern Farm Equipment, Dave Muir Fuels, and Connect Equipment – sent out flyers with their regular billings asking people to commit their combines for the harvest.
For those who do not have a combine to contribute, there are other ways to get involved. The event is going to be filled with family activities, lunch will be available and bleachers will be set up to watch the harvest come in – everyone hoping in under five minutes.
Everyone is invited to come out and celebrate farming and support a good cause.
Although a harvest date is not set yet, the group is regularly checking the crop and will soon set a final date for the Harvest. Check www.foodgrainsbank.ca for specifics.
To register a combine to be part of harvest day contact Peter Rastorfer at rastorferfarms@gmail.com.
The Canadian Foodgrains Bank is a partnership of 15 churches and church-based agencies working to end hunger in developing countries. For more information, go to www.foodgrainsbank.ca.
