July Field Notes Newsletter

UNPREDICTABLE WEATHER


Jim Cornelius, CFGB Exec. Director

The unpredictability of the weather is a challenge that farmers wrestle with in all parts of the world. Farmers

have developed various strategies for managing the unpredictability and variability of the weather that

enables them to cope. Nevertheless, despite all these efforts, the weather can defeat even the best
approaches and strategies. Many farmers on the prairies, particularly in Saskatchewan, are facing serious
weather problems this year, with large acres of land not seeded and many crops suffering from excess moisture. Almost half our growing projects in Saskatchewan have not been seeded. Our prayers are with the many farm families on the prairies facing a very difficult year. These types of weather events are even more
devastating for the smallholder farmers and pastoralists with whom we work around the world. Much of our
food aid is provided to support households whose livelihoods have been disrupted by severe weather events such as drought, flooding, hurricanes and cyclones. Local safety nets and insurance arrangements are often not available or are inadequate to help them cope. We are supporting programs to help smallholder farmers and pastoralists develop more resilient farming systems and livelihoods to enable them to better manage the weather variability they experience. We are also supporting efforts to strengthen local, national and
international safety net systems.

Households living in more marginal areas are also experiencing long‐term changes in their weather patterns and need to find ways of adapting to these changes. We are pleased that the Government of Canada is moving forward with $400 million in funding this year to help developing countries adapt to and mitigate climate change. We will be working to help ensure significant amounts of this funding are used to support smallholder farmers and pastoralists in developing farming and livestock management practices that are better adapted to weather variability and a changing climate.

VOICES FROM PAKISTAN

Joan Barkman, Program Director

Canadian Foodgrains Bank supports a number of projects in Pakistan through emergency food assistance

for people who have had to flee their homes due to conflict as well as enabling people to secure their own

longer‐term food security.

Canadian Catholic Organization for Development & Peace has contributed $500,000 to a project for the people displaced from the Swat area of Pakistan during a military crackdown against the Taliban. The project provided food to 2,600 people who fled their homes. Mr. Ismail was one of those. In his home village he worked as a mason, earning enough money to support his family of five. When the fighting ensued, he fled with his family and was taken in by relatives who were already living in crowded and impoverished conditions. Mr. Ismail is grateful for his relatives taking them in. However, he did not want to place an even greater burden on them. Through this project, his family receives a monthly ration of food that he can contribute to the household. Mr. Ismail and his family are anxious to return home to their village to restart their normal lives.

Presbyterian World Service and Development supports a three‐year food security program in the district of

Umerkot. The program includes a number of different facets, all aimed to improve livelihood strategies, to increase the availability of food, and ultimately to increase levels of food consumption and dietary diversity. Somji Kohli is one of the participants. Somji supports a family of eight. He used to work tending

other people’s land, but four years ago he was able to purchase six acres of his own land. Because of water shortages, he could only cultivate three acres and even those crops were under constant threat due to water

scarcity. Somji was invited to participate in a village development committee, where they assessed their

needs and worked with the project organizers to improve their lives. The committee decided to address

their need for water by building a storage pond. Now, when the water supply is interrupted for long periods of time, Somji can rely on the pond. He has been able to expand the amount of land under cultivation and has improved his yields substantially. Somji’s wife has joined a self‐help group. Women in the group have

initiated a savings program and Somji’s wife is saving for their children’s future and putting money aside for

unexpected expenses. She has taken part in a vegetable program and is growing nutritious food for the family.

SHIPPING NEWS

Vanessa Brown, Logistics Officer

So far this fiscal year, we have committed $5.6 million; $2.6 million towards local food purchases and $3.0
million towards non‐commodity, food security projects. This will benefit almost 400,000 in 16 countries.
A quick look at programming over the past three months by Foodgrains Bank members includes:

• 3,787 metric tonnes of food supplied to eight countries.

• 1,200 metric tonnes of maize, 72 metric tonnes of oil, and 240 metric tonnes of pulses is
   currently on its way to one of CFGB’s partners in Kenya to help feed 20,000 people over a sixmonth
   time period.

FOOD AID CONVENTION UPDATE


Stuart Clark, Senior Policy Advisor

After several years of procrastination, in June, the member countries of the Food Aid Convention agreed

to begin informal negotiations on reforming the Convention. By December they expect to begin formal

negotiations with possible conclusion by June 2011. The Food Aid Convention is a promise by seven countries (including Canada) and the European Union to provide about five million tonnes of food aid each year. It is also part of the reason for the Canadian government’s generous support of the Foodgrains Bank’s food aid activities.

To help guide the reform of the Food Aid Convention, the Foodgrains Bank initiated a coalition of most of the other North American and European NGOs to make proposals for changes to the Convention. This coalition (Trans‐Atlantic Food Aid Dialogue ‐ TAFAD), which includes organizations like CARE, Oxfam, Plan (former Foster Parents Plan) and Save the Children, has established itself as the main advocacy group for the Food Aid Convention reform.

The challenges facing these negotiations are formidable. Emergency food aid needs have been rising
in recent years due, at least in part, to climate change. At the same time, many of the member countries are
facing severe budget corrections which challenge their international commitments. The first immediate
challenge is to clarify what activities the Convention will cover. Some broadening, such as including vouchers
given to let people get their own food from the market, is necessary. But, with such an acute need to ensure
minimum food aid levels, it is important not to spread the Convention over too wide a range of activities. The other major challenge is to continue the promise to provide a certain amount of food. With the sudden
increases in food prices seen in 2007‐8, Finance Ministers may be wary of committing to somewhat
unpredictable annual expenses. However, if the 3 promises are made in an amount of money, instead of
food, it will mean that those who are hungry will suffer the consequences of increases in food prices. More
hungry people will be left out.

Canada is playing a central role in these negotiations. A senior CIDA official is chairing the Food Aid Convention negotiations for the next year and the Conservative government has made the reform of the Food Aid Convention one of its key aid priorities. We may need the help of Canadian Foodgrains Bank supporters to provide the political support for our government to maintain its commitments so that Canada can ask the
other members to do likewise.

2011 FOOD STUDY/ YOUTH DISCOVERY TOURS


James Kornelsen, Public Engagement Coordinator
Dave Colvinson, Youth Engagement Coordinator

“Be prepared for a life changing experience.” This is the most frequent advice offered by former food study tour participants to anyone who is considering participating. Participants will meet and be hosted by some of the most interesting and hospitable people on earth. Your hosts will be the local people who are working tirelessly to end hunger in their communities. You’ll spend time in their homes, on their farms, at their places of work and in their churches. You’ll learn about how Canadian Foodgrains Bank members are partnering with these amazing people in a collective effort to end hunger.

Food Study Tour: Ethiopia
January 26 ‐February 12, 2011
Approximate Cost: $5500

Youth Discovery Tour: Guatemala (Ages 17‐24)
January 17‐29, 2011
Approximate Cost: $3000

We invite you to consider going on one of these tours.
Apply early as space is limited.
To download the application form, visit
www.foodgrainsbank.ca/food_study_tours.aspx or contact us by calling 800‐665‐0377.

FAST FOR CHANGE

Fast for Change is about recognizing the link between hunger and over‐consumption, poverty and affluence.
Your group is invited to follow the daily devotionals, fast in whatever way is healthy for soul and body, and then gather together to share learning and experiences. The Resource Kit includes a 7 day devotional booklet, plans and ideas for a Fasting Meal, worship service elements, and “Taste and See: a Fast for Change Youth Event”. We encourage you to consider fasting on October 16th, World Food Day. Register today and order the new kit and additional resources at www.fastforchange.ca.

INVITATION FROM KAIROS

As many of you will know, the Christian ecumenical advocacy organization Kairos has many of the same
denominational members as the CFGB. On July 7 the Mayberrys met with Kairos to begin to explore opportunities for collaboration/cooperation in promoting food justice. At this meeting Kairos extended an invitation to Foodgrains Bank supporters to attend their annual Great Lakes St Lawrence fall conference October 1‐3 at the Mary Mount Retreat Centre in Ancaster. The keynote speaker will be Mary Jo Leddy. She is the Director of Romero House in Toronto, a member of the Order of Canada and the author of "Radical Gratitude"and "At the Border Called Hope: Where Refugees are Neighbours”.

For more information please visit the Kairos website. www.kairoscanada.org/fileadmin/fe/files/PDF/Get_
_involved/GLSL_Kairos_Conference_2010_Flyer.pdf

FUTURE EVENTS

If you have Foodgrains Bank related events you would like us to include in the Field Notes newsletter please contact the Mayberrys. The next newsletter will be ready to be sent out the end of October.

COMING EVENTS

MERVIN LUSH MEMORIAL ANTIQUE TRACTOR SHOW


& HARVEST CELEBRATION Saturday, August 14

Everyone is invited to attend the 4th annual event sponsored by the Big Head River Community Growing
Project at the Webb‐McCann Farm 136606 Grey Rd 12 between Meaford and Markdale.

This event starts at 10:00 AM and will include a baked apple pie contest & auction, food booth, a bake
sale, live entertainment, antique tractors, a tractor parade, wagon rides, farm animals, and a whole lot more.

Admission by free will donation.
For more information please contact Henry Reinders 519‐538‐3641 henry.reinders@gmail.com

SHAVER HOMESTEAD CORN ROAST
AUGUST 25 at 6 PM

1166 Garner Rd (formerly Hwy 53) Ancaster hosted by the Bowman – Bethesda (Ancaster) and St
Paul’s (Dundas) United Church’s growing project. The Mayberrys will be the guest speakers and will present about UCC/CFGB supported programming in Zimbabwe.

ANNUAL MARKDALE NAZARENE HARVEST
CELEBRATION AUGUST 27‐29

794854 Eastback Line, Markdale

This weekend begins on Friday evening with a community wide barbeque/corn roast to celebrate the
bounty of the harvest and the opportunity to share this blessing with others. Join us for supper at 5:30 pm
followed by a time of worship and celebration.

For more information please contact Wayne & Sharon Goudy 519‐986‐2841.

CANADA’S OUTDOOR FARM SHOW
SEPTEMBER 14‐16

The Foodgrains Bank will once again have a display at this event. Please stop by for a visit.

INTERNATIONAL PLOWING MATCH
SEPTEMBER 21 – 25, ST. THOMAS

The Foodgrains Bank will have a display in the Elgin County tent at the match. Be sure and check out the
new growing project across from the main gate. This is one of three new plots sponsored by Knox Presbyterian Church, St. Thomas.

ANNUAL FALL INFORMATION MEETINGS

This annual series of meetings is planned for November 22 – 26, 2010. More information will be included in the next newsletter and will be included on the coming events on the CFGB website in September.
http://www.foodgrainsbank.ca/coming_events.aspx

POSSIBLE FUND RAISER

We have been asked to pass on this potential fund raising opportunity that your group/church might want
to consider. This duo puts on a two hour musical concert. We invite you to visit their web site at www.cdbaby.com/cd/marysmith or contact David Clements at dave@tjrcadd.com.

GROWING PROJECT REPORTING FORMS are being mailed to the project contacts with this newsletter and can also be found at http://www.foodgrainsbank.ca/reporting_and_receipting.aspx

If you have any questions about reporting please contact the Mayberrys or Ellen Paulley.

Thanks for your continued support. Have a safe and happy summer!