Farmers Helping Farmers has announced the winners of its 2009 awards. The awards recognize the contributions of the organization’s volunteers, supporters and members. Bev and Shirlee Simpson of Vesey’s Seeds Ltd. were presented with the Friend of Farmers Helping Farmers Award which recognizes individuals and businesses who are not members of Farmers Helping Farmers, but who have made a lasting and extending contribution to the association. Stonepark Farmers Helping Farmers Club was this year’s recipient of the Farmers Helping Farmers Youth Award. This award recognizes individuals and youth groups who have made outstanding contributions to public awareness about Farmers Helping Farmers and its work in Kenya. The award was accepted by club members Emily Pass and Riley Zidichouski.
“The success of any organization is dependent upon the commitment of its volunteers and others,” said Sandra MacKinnon, awards committee chair. “We are extremely fortunate to have individuals and groups working in partnership, and raising funds to assist with the challenges faced by many East African farm women and their families.”
Farmers Helping Farmers also announced Honourary Life Membership awards which recognize members who have made an outstanding and substantial contribution to the organization and its purpose. This year the award is presented to two members. Patsy Dingwell is recognized for her leadership in the area of education public awareness, and Shaad Olingo is recognized for his hard work, judgement and commitment in ensuring that the organization’s small-scale, practical agricultural projects are successfully implemented in Kenya.
A special award was presented to Kristin Roe, Halifax, for her outstanding contribution to public awareness and funding raising for the organization. In July 2008, Ms. Roe completed a 16 hour double swim of the Northumberland Strait. The swim raised more than $80,000. The funds are being used to improve the lives of African women through project work of the Stephen Lewis Foundation and Farmers Helping Farmers. Ms. Roe’s choice of Farmers Helping Farmers as one of her sponsoring organization raised the national profile of the organization.
Farmers Helping Farmers is an Island-based, award-winning organization of community-minded people with agricultural backgrounds. Its goal is to assist Kenyan farmers in becoming more self-reliant in agricultural food production. The group assists with the development of small-scale, practical agricultural projects, focusing on direct, person-to-person interaction. For additional information on the organization, visit www.farmershelpingfarmers.ca.