Giving Back

December 12, 2025 | Simon DeBoer

Giving Back : There are many times during the growing season when we travel across the province.
And yes—let me say clearly—I do keep my eyes on the road.
But even so, we can’t help but notice the many signs posted in farmers’ fields, often right along the roadside.

These signs tell us what variety of crop is being grown and, quite often, the name of the company that supplied the seed.
Then there are the familiar blue and red signs with white lettering—the Canadian Foodgrains Bank growing-project signs, most often organized by a local church.

Soybeans seem to be the crop of choice, though they are certainly not the only one.
Input costs are, in many cases, covered by local agribusinesses. Field preparation, planting, and harvesting are carried out by farmers—often by someone other than the landowner. At some growing projects, a benefactor even covers the land rent. Trucking and elevation charges are often donated as well.

Once the crop is sold, the proceeds go directly to the Canadian Foodgrains Bank. As you can see, these projects are deeply rooted in rural communities.
But not only that—the Canadian government generously supplements these funds, sometimes on a four-to-one basis.

The Foodgrains Bank uses these resources to purchase and supply food in areas where crops have failed for any number of reasons. Even more importantly, they work with people in developing countries—helping them improve their farms and farming practices through both practical support and compassionate partnership.

At times this can feel like an impossible task. All one has to do is read the news and see the suffering in the world, and it’s easy to feel helpless.
But then the words of Jesus come to mind:

“Whatever you do for the least of my brothers and sisters, you have done it unto me.”

The CFFO Commentary represents the opinions of the writer and does not necessarily represent CFFO policy.