Farmers Helping Farmers recently announced the winners of its 2010 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 and others. “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,” she said.
The Friend of Farmers Helping Farmers award was presented to two deserving nominees this year. Gerry McQuaid was presented with the Friend of Farmers Helping Farmers Individual Award. The Hillsborough Rotary Club was presented with the Friend of Farmers Helping Farmers Group Award. The award recognizes individuals and businesses who are not members of the organization, but who have made a lasting and extending contribution.
The UPEI Nursing Students (Kenyan Internship) were 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 nursing students included Ashley Caulier, Marley Bruce, Rianne Carragher, Cheryl Edmunds, James Sullivan, Katie Arsenault, Kaela MacKinnon, Lisa MacQuillan, and Dean of UPEI Nursing Dr. Kim Critchley.
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 Priscilla Myers.
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.