Harvest celebration highlights work of Webster County farmers

By KATIE LEFEBVRE, Globe staff reporter
October 27, 2005

FORT DODGE - A harvest celebration was held Oct. 22 to recognize the efforts of farmers in Webster County who participated in the Fields of Opportunities and Dreams (FOOD) project.

FOOD is a project of the Catholic Team Parishes of Webster County, the Food Resource Bank and Catholic Relief Services (CRS) to help farmers in underdeveloped nations. Every dollar of donated funds goes directly to growing projects in Third World countries.

A harvest celebration was held at the Craig and Lori Gascho farm. The Gascho farm was one of nine to participate in the project, noted Wynn Touney of Fort Dodge.

"I think God provided us with a wonderful day," said Sister Margaret Kruse, OSF, of the Webster County parishes. "It was very sunny and it warmed up enough for people to feel comfortable outside. With that, I think there was a real spirit among the people that came."

The day began at 11 a.m. with people being able to visit the farm, go on hayrides, combine rides, take a farm tour and see animals and antique tractors.

Sister Margaret pointed out that there were about 60 people who attended the celebration. Father Lynn Bruch and Father Ed Girres of the Webster team parishes were present for the celebration as well, added Touney. Ron DeWeerd of the Food Resource Bank was also on hand.

"Those that took the opportunity to ride on the combine enjoyed seeing how that worked," she said. "It was a combination of adults and children."

The prayer celebration started at 12 p.m. Daniel Chavambo spoke about a growing project in his native Mozambique.

"I thought it was a wonderful experience to be able to have Daniel there. He shared some of his experiences of being a refugee and then going back to his own country and how they are now trying to help people to become self-sustaining," said Sister Margaret.

Judith Podja from Catholic Relief Services also spoke. John Taylor from CRS was also present.

"She talked about the projects that are being helped in different parts of the world and how we are going to be part of the project in Tanzania," said Sister Margaret.

A potluck lunch was served at about 1 p.m. and attendees brought a dish to share. Following lunch, people were able to explore the farm again.

"It was an opportunity to thank God for all the abundance that we have," said Sister Margaret. "We felt it was an opportunity to gather people together from both the rural area and the town to be able to celebrate this together."

Touney stated that proceeds from 33 acres were donated by nine farmers of Webster County. The farmers were from seven different parishes in the county.

"People have been very generous," said Sister Margaret. "We don't know what the total will be, but whatever we will make will be doubled by USAid. We are hoping to make anywhere between $15,000 and $20,000, but we still have some expenses to make and farmers who need to send in their money from the co-op."

The team parishes are sending all their donations from the sale of the crops and other monetary contributions to Mwanza, Tanzania, for a sweet potato project for 300 households. Mwanza, on the south shore of Lake Victoria, is the second largest city in Tanzania.

"We are hoping to expand this next year so that we can invite in some of the other denominations to participate in this," said Sister Margaret.

People may contribute to the project by making checks out to Catholic Team Parishes and write FOOD project on the memo line and send to PO Box 994, Fort Dodge, IA 50501.

Information is available from Ron DeWeerd at ron@foodresourcebank.org or by calling (712) 476-8331.