The Sharecropper Program is our major service and outreach program. Working in partnership with Galten Farms of Unionville we have a field planted with a crop, the proceeds when harvested go to the Canadian Foodgrains Bank. Now in its 22nd year, The Bethesda/Galten Farms Sharecropper Program is a partnership with a member of the local agricultural community (Galten Farms– Unionville), a local Christian congregation (Bethesda Lutheran Church-Unionville), a partner congregation (St. John’s United Church – Oakville), and YOU (the sharecropper).
How Sharecropping Works
Through charitable donations, sharecroppers contribute financially to half of the initial input costs of crop planting, (this year – a field of corn). In the late summer or fall, the crop is harvested, weighed, and sold. The revenue generated from the crop is split equally between the farmer and the Foodgrains Bank.
The Best News
Canadian Foodgrains Bank project activities are eligible for a 4:1 match from Global Affairs Canada. That means that for every one hundred dollars raised by the Sharecropper Program FIVE HUNDRED dollars in total aid is available to help provide food and aid to some of the world’s poorest and most vulnerable people.
Every $100 raised feeds a family of five for 3 months.
2022 Sharercopper Project
Our 2022 Sharecropper Project is a crop of soybeans. The field is again located on the southwest corner of Warden Avenue and Stouffville Sideroad. The crop was planted in May. It was a hot and dry summer, so the crop did not grow tall. It was harvested on October 13 with good yield. Our project partners are again Galten Farms of Unionville, and St. John’s United Church in Oakville. We thank them for their generous support.
The 2021 Sharecropper project reaped a bountiful harvest! From the proceeds of the wheat crop and other donations, just over $20,000 was raised for the Canadian Foodgrains Bank. That amount translates into $100,000 in food and other aid to the world’s hungry when matched by Global Affairs Canada.
For more information about our Sharecropper program and how you can participate in the 2022 project, please contact us.
Canadian Foodgrains Bank
Established in 1983, the Canadian Foodgrains Bank is a Canadian-based Christian organization that helps provide food and development assistance to people in need on behalf of 15 Canadian church agencies. The Canadian Foodgrains Bank is owned by 15 Canadian Church Agencies.
They pool resources, both human and financial, and work collaboratively together in a Christian response to hunger.
Adventist Development & Relief Agency
Canadian Baptist Ministries
Canadian Catholic Organization for Development & Peace
Canadian Lutheran World Relief
Christian & Missionary Alliance in Canada
Christian Reformed World Relief Committee
Emergency Relief & Development Overseas (Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada)
Evangelical Missionary Church of Canada
Mennonite Central Committee
Nazarene Compassionate Ministries
Presbyterian World Service & Development
Primate’s World Relief & Development Fund (Anglican Church of Canada)
The Salvation Army
United Church of Canada
World Relief Canada
Facing Hunger is a 28-minute documentary about two farm families on opposite sides of the world who are connected through faith, farming, and a desire to help end hunger. You can watch the full length Facing Hunger documentary below.