Farmers Helping Farmers recently announced the winners of its 2013 awards. The awards recognize the contributions of the organization’s volunteers, supporters and members.
Sandra MacKinnon, Awards Committee Chair, says that the success of any organization is dependent upon the commitment of its volunteers, supporters and others. “These annual awards are a way of acknowledging the individuals and groups who have made outstanding contributions to the organization,” she said.
Seven-year-old Ellen Moore from Murray River was this year’s recipient of the Farmers Helping Farmers Youth Award. She was recognized for the projects she has led during the past two years to increase awareness about Kenyan youth. She raised over $3,000 for the Mutwewathi Primary School and other projects. She is an inspiration for other students and her community.
The Friend of Farmers Helping Farmers was presented to the Rotary Club of Stratford. Over the past five years, the Rotary Club has provided financial support to women and their families in the Wakulima Mukurwe-ini region in Kenya for the purchase of bio gas digesters. The digesters provide up to five hours of methane daily. This project has improved women’s health because it has decreased the amount of time spent cooking over a smoky fire and has had a positive impact on the environment by reducing the amount of firewood used for cooking.
The Honourary Life Membership recognizes members who have made an outstanding and substantial contribution to the organization and its purpose. This year, the award was presented to Dr. Winston Johnston of Charlottetown. Dr. Johnston has been a strong supporter of Farmers Helping Farmers for over a decade. He has given countless hours of service and dedication to the organization’s committees, projects and activities.
The awards were presented at the organization’s annual meeting by its president Mary Nicholson.
Farmers Helping Farmers is an Island-based, award-winning organization of community-minded people with agricultural backgrounds. Its goal is to assist Kenyan farmers become 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 more information on the organization visit www.farmershelpingfarmers.ca.