Farmers Helping Farmers recently announced the winners of its 2011 awards. The awards recognize the contributions of the organization’s volunteers, supporters and members.
“These annual awards are a way of acknowledging the individuals and groups who have made outstanding contributions to the organization,” said awards committee chair, Sandra MacKinnon.
The Friend of Farmers Helping Farmers Award was presented to Chef Emily Wells as well as the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada – Crops and Livestock Research Centre (Charlottetown office). This award recognizes individuals and groups who are not members of the organization but have made a lasting and extending contribution.
Chef Emily Wells has been the driving force behind the Fall Harvest Luncheon held at the Dunes Café since 2006, with the proceeds going towards education and community projects in Kenya. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and its staff have been hosting the annual Farmers Helping Farmers BBQ for the past 28 years.
Caitlin McCarthy received the Farmers Helping Farmers Youth Award. It recognizes individuals and youth groups who have made outstanding contributions to public awareness about Farmers Helping Farmers and its work in Kenya. She raised $5,600 in her community of Florenceville, NB to build a classroom at the Kinyinjere Primary School in Kenya.
The Honourary Life Membership, which recognizes members who have made an outstanding and substantial contribution to the organization and its purpose, was presented to Harry Baglole. He has been a committed volunteer to the organization for close to 20 years, contributing his time and efforts to various projects and initiatives.
The awards were presented at the organization’s annual meeting by its president, Dr. Jeff Wichtel.
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.