Yorkton Council heard officially the Farming for Health project they were involved with as a fundraiser by The Health Foundation to raise money toward a new hospital for the city was a huge success.
Cliff Trombley with THF said 2013 "was very successful."
"The Farming project raised gross revenue of $331,000, and realized $261,000 in net revenue," he said. " Crop yield was very strong, averaging 40.5 bushels per acre."
The City had supplied the land for the project.
"We farmed all 700 acres of the land donated by the City with Canola; the seed was donated," said Trombley.
"This project generated good awareness and helped to reach out to businesses and organizations outside of Yorkton to assist building a regional effort for a new hospital."
In addition to the City of Yorkton there were 21 businesses that donated product or service for this project, which allowed us to have minimal operating costs.
In 2014, the project is growing oats, wheat and canola. Louis Dreyfus will be arranging for the donation of canola seed, Grain Millers will be arranging for the donation of seed for the oat crop, and Parrish and Heimbecker will look after the wheat. By moving to three crops we will be able to establish a proper crop rotation on the land, explained Trombley.
"All of our suppliers from last year are back again this year; which will once again allow us to have minimal operating costs. We are hoping to add a few additional agricultural businesses to our list of suppliers this year which may allow us to further reduce our operating costs," he said.
"As part of our effort to involve more people from the farming community in the Farming for Health project we will be organizing a Harvest Bee this year. This will be a great way to draw positive publicly to what is already a terrific community success story."
