Ag Community Farming for Health raises a record $395,036

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“This was an amazing year for our Farming for Health project,” said Larry Hilworth, committee co-chair, “and it has been a great first 10 years of Farming for Health. We had donations of time and product that allowed us to realize our best year ever on the land we farm.” 

“We have had a strong core group on our organizing committee for several years now, and their commitment has allowed us to have success for the community. This year local implement dealers Pattison Agriculture and Rocky Mountain Equipment, as well as Larry Hilworth harvested the crop. Yorkton Co-op donated the fuel, Cargill provided fertilizer, Miccar Aerial applied fungicide and pesticide as needed, BASF provided fungicides, Synergy Ag provided glyphosate, city of Yorkton donated the land, Corteva provided our canola seed, AVT Transport hauled our grain, Louis Dreyfus Company bought our crop and Agratactics Agronomy provided the agronomic services,” continued Mr. Hilworth.

“What I love about this project is that it brings together businesses and people who are in competition with each other, but they all put that aside and work together because this project is about making our community a better place. It’s good to be a part of that.” 

“This is our core group, but there are many other businesses that help, from providing lunches and supper in the field, to providing equipment or staff, and the farm families who bring combines to help with harvest. The agriculture community recognizes this project is for the community and that it buys equipment for the Yorkton Regional Hospital that everyone in this area uses. It is wonderful to see how the agriculture community is prepared to step up,” said Mr. Hilworth.

This is year 10 for Ag Community Farming for Health. The first five years were dedicated to raising and setting aside $1 million for a new hospital. For the last five years the project has purchased equipment for the hospital. In 10 years it has raised $2,039,552. The equipment purchased helps hospital staff and makes a difference in people’s lives right away. 

"We are proud to say that Farming for Health is going to continue", Mr. Hilworth added. "We have a new hospital coming. The government has announced the money to do the planning and needs assessment for a new regional hospital that will serve everyone in this region. We want to be part of that and recognize the community needs to play a role in pushing that forward."