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(From left) Bob Sefrit, Rick Hansen, Lee Hansen and Keith Wensel stand
by Sefrit’s plot where corn was harvested for the Fairfax FRB Growing
Project. A UMNS photo provided by Fairfax United Methodist Church. Photo
by Roger Cary.
View in Photo Gallery
A UMNS REPORT
By Carrie Madren*
7:00 A.M. ET Jan. 30, 2012
When Bob Sefrit of Fairfax, Mo., decided to plant 10 acres of corn as part of a Foods Resource Bank “growing project” with his church’s United Methodist Men, he insisted on a dedication service.
“As soon as we did that, God immediately took over,” Sefrit recalled.
That was evident four years ago when a strong wind blew down
thousands of acres of corn in the area. As fields surrounding the Foods
Resource Bank acres were flattened, “those 10 acres were standing —
there wasn’t a stalk down,” Sefrit said, and in one spot, “my FRB corn
was actually holding my downed corn up. This is a project that God is
in.”
The Fairfax United Methodist Church growing project is one of more than 200 nationwide that collaborate with Foods Resource Bank, a Christian non-profit agency that helps farmers dedicate a share of their harvest to funding sustainable agriculture programs around the world.
Growing projects typically offer aid in this way: Farmers —
supported by their churches — commit a small portion of their crop or
livestock to Foods Resource Bank. The non-profit channels funds from the
harvest sale to some 62 overseas programs run by partner agencies —
such as the United Methodist Committee on Relief
— that teach farmers better farming techniques to gain food security.
In East Africa, for instance, programs help people save water during
the rainy season for vegetable gardens that produce food and income to
pay for school fees, better housing and other necessities.
For a church or community to make a difference, said Kelsey Day,
communications coordinator at Foods Resource Bank, “it only takes one
person to stand up and say, ‘I can spare five acres’ or ‘I can donate
$100.’”
More than a hundred people dine together after a service at Fairfax
United Methodist Church. A web-only photo courtesy Don Johnson.
A seed of hope
Often, that one person who volunteers seed or acres inspires the community.
While most growing projects raise corn, wheat or soybeans, others
use whatever resources are available. Youth at an Iowa church maintain a
vegetable garden and sell the produce to the congregation. A growing
project can even forgo agriculture altogether. An Iowa nursing home
held a rock-a-thon, where seniors raised funds for hours of rocking.
“Growing projects are different sizes, and they kind of build
themselves,” said Marv Baldwin, president and CEO of Foods Resource
Bank.
The project in Fairfax, Mo., grows mainly corn and soybeans.
However, a few years ago, a 6-year-old boy began raising pumpkins, which
have added $6,000 to the growing project’s five-year total of $80,000
for sustainable agriculture programs in developing countries.
Two Indiana churches — rural Oxford United Methodist Church and the more urban First Christian Church in Lafayette — have sustained a 20-acre growing project for eight years.
In addition to building a missions project that raises some $20,000
annually in recent years, the growing project has built a relationship
between two denominations, reported Larry Winger of Oxford, who raises
the project’s corn on his family farm.
“Part of our getting into this was a real desire to do something
that would really have an impact,” said Tim Ritchey Martin, pastor of
Grossnickle Church of the Brethren in Myersville, Md. His congregation
collaborates with six other churches of various denominations in a growing project that includes a Blessing of the Seed service and a harvest festival.
Donnie Grossnickle farms the project’s 55 donated acres — typically a
harvest of corn, wheat or soybeans. “I feel like I’m really doing
something,” said Grossnickle, who runs a dairy farm. Families sponsor
an acre for $250, the estimated growing input; a half-dozen community
business sponsors support at the $500 level. Over the past six years,
the growing project has raised some $125,000.
Each spring, Ritchey Martin announces the overseas program; this year, it is a cattle project in Mozambique.
Children play in a corn box at the Harvest Celebration of Oxford United
Methodist Church and First Christian Church of Lafayette, Ind. A
web-only photo courtesy of Don Johnson.
Go and grow
If you are thinking of starting your own growing project, just get
started, advised Baldwin. “People think you have to do something big,
but if you start with something small — gathering a leadership team —
it can lead to big things,” he said. Then, see who can spare acres,
time, resources and talents.
Growing projects use many talents beyond farming. Those with a gift
for organization, for instance, can plan the harvest celebration or
bakers can bake pies to auction.
As the project moves forward, share the story of how the effort will
offer food security to others around the globe. You will attract people
who want to fight global hunger.
“I would encourage people not to be bashful about asking others for support,” advised Ritchey Martin.
Anyone interested — but not ready to start a growing project — could
join an overseas trip to learn about sustainable agriculture projects
in developing countries or do advocacy work with Foods Resource Bank in
Washington. “There are other ways you can dip your toe in,” Day said.
Finally, keep God at the center of your project. “When you dedicate something to the Lord,” Sefrit said, “he takes care of it.”
*Madren is a Washington-based freelance writer who specializes in environmental and sustainability issues.
News media contact: Maggie Hillery, Nashville, Tenn. (615) 472-5470 or newsdesk@umcom.org.
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