The Food Resource Bank works to raise money to provide the resources for people to grow their own food. The program typically works by having rural and urban areas team up. Larger organizations donate money to fund the project. Farmers from rural communities can donate land, or just help supply equipment and expertise. A crop is grown and harvested by the rural community. That crop is then sold for profit.
The money generated goes to the Food Resource Bank. Members of the Food Resource Bank use the money to buy seed, garden tools and other supplies to help people in poor communities grow food for themselves and their families.
This was the first year that the Cadiz Christian Church participated in the project. Dr. Tom Martin, pastor of the Church, said, "We have farmers in our church and it seemed like a logical idea."
However, the Cadiz Christian Church did not receive funding money from larger organizations. Rather, the farmers in the church donated all of their own land and equipment at their own expense.
The land was provided by the Ellis Family Farm that owned by Tony and Belinda Holland. The Hollands had a plot of land that they didn't use for anything. They used to rent it to other farmers. Martin said they have been involved with projects involving the poor before, so he asked if they would want to volunteer some land. They donated ten acres to grow a soybean crop.
Crop production was provided by several different farms and families. Jolly Farms, owned by Scott and Ellen Jolly, took care of planting the crop. Mike and Judy Davis of Davis and Davis Farms sprayed the soybeans. Craig and Stephanie Perry of Vinson Farms harvested the soybeans. "They donated time, machinery, fuel, and chemicals. It was really a neat thing for them to do," said Martin.
The soybeans were harvested on Sunday, October 3. The money generated form the crop is about $3000 that will be donated to the Food Resource Bank. Martin said the Cadiz Christian Church would like to continue this project annually. He doesn't know what crop they will grow next year, but are considering corn.
Land for the Roaring Spring Christian Church was provided by Dean and Terry Duncan, Grant Golladay and John West. The crop production was provided by Tom Ledford, Carl Ledford, James Ray Ledford and Ford Trucking.
The Food Resource Bank has helped poor communities in many different countries. There are currently 37 programs oversease in areas such as Bosnia, Honduras, Central America and Africa. For the year 2004 the Food Resource Bank anticipates a150 growing communities and over 5000 acres of crops. This should generate $1.2 million in crop income.
The Cadiz Christian Church was glad to help out with this project. They are looking forward to finding out what the money helped support. Martin said, "We will find out probably next year what our money went for, what particular project we helped. That will be fun to see."
