Paschke figures Neufeld has been involved for most if not all of the years the project has been in existence. It started in 1998 on land outside of Boissevain, and now operates on a field at Fairfax.
Every year, the local growing project gives people the opportunity to “adopt an acre” for their half-section. In the past, sponsoring an acre cost $100. This year, the group felt with the COVID scenario people could be feeling the impact, it was cut down to $50. As well, they decided to get a big map made of the land, and have the acres sectioned off. People who sponsor acres will be assigned a number and it will be attached to the map. It will be generated randomly. At the end of the harvest day, the plan is for one of the numbered acres to be the winner of a $400 prize package.
This year, sponsorship can happen in honour of their departed committee member.
“It started with people wanting to sponsor acres for Buck. We had a couple of people ask about it, to sponsor acres in his memory. We thought, ‘What a wonderful way to remember him!’”
People can donate as much as they want to the project, but the squares are capped at 10 per person. The amount per acre is about 1/6 of the cost of seeding it and getting it to the bin. The hope is always that through various donations, the expenses can be covered, so that as much as possible can go to feeding hungry people around the world through the Canadian Foodgrains Bank.
In keeping with crop rotation, wheat was planted on the field this year. Darren Peters put it in last weekend, with Trevor and Taylor Mealy spraying the field. The seed was donated by Peters, Select Seeds and Martens Charlois and Seed.
Traditionally, the fall harvest at the site is a public event, where groups of volunteers gather to take the crop off, and a lunch is served. The COVID pandemic put a stop to that in 2020, but there is still hope they can do it again in 2021. At any rate, the plan is to throw a dart at the map on that day to find the winner of the prize package. If it lands on one of “Buck’s acres”, his three children will take home the prize, which includes a meat package from Martens Charlois, a gift card to the Co-op from Whitewater Bison, cash from Copperman Electrical and a Mullet Farmer gift certificate. Each prize is worth $100.
Over the years of its operation, the BMW Grow Project has raised $1.4 million for the cause. They can be found on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter (@BmwGrowProject). They keep updating regularly to keep every one informed about where they are at, and what they need for volunteers.
Paschke said they do this fundraising every year, and now they would like to remember their friend, who contributed so much to their project and their lives.
“It’s a pretty big deal to us,” she explained. “It’s important to keep his memory alive. He was very passionate about this and if we can honour his family through this, it would be wonderful. This is something cool, because Buck had a passion for it. This way we can keep him going as a part of this.”
To donate, you can send an etransfer (or questions) to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. A cheque can be sent to Box 359 Boissevain, R0K 0E0, and add Buck to the memo if your donation is in his memory. Remember to add a phone number and mailing address for your tax receipt. Also, you can contact Audrey at 204-305-0775.

by PAUL RAYNER, Recorder staff