Grainswest - Winter 2023

Winter 2023 grainswest.com 37 Though his own grain was pre-sold for processing, he scrambled to redirect buckwheat seed from other sources to the aid effort. “Our grandparents came from Ukraine with some buckwheat seed,” said Don. “That’s how they got started with farming in Canada. The only thing we can possibly do is reciprocate in any way we can to help our ancestral homeland.” Within five days of receiving the request, Don pulled the project together. The Canadian Ukraine Foundation jumped on board to help pay for the seed. Though Don waived his own costs, his contract farmers required payment. The Foundation took official charge of the seed, as shipping between humanitarian aid organizations minimizes Canadian Food Inspection Agency and sanitary certification red tape. Meanwhile, local group Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal covered the cost of seven shipping containers. Two weeks later, these were loaded and en route to Ukraine via Germany and Poland. Six of seven containers arrived six weeks later, and the seed was distributed to 70 farmers in 10 regions who together planted a total of about 7,000 acres. The seventh container arrived too late for seeding in 2022, so its contents will be put toward seeding in 2023. “How does it feel to do this? I don’t have words,” said Don. “It’s just the right thing to do. When there’s a call for help, you answer.” He hopes the buckwheat initiative continues in 2023 with greater lead time. Canadian ag entrepreneur Rob Saik, CEO of AGvisorPRO, shares Don’s belief in stepping up to help the war-torn nation. “All of my grandparents, both paternal and maternal, came from Ukraine and all of them were farmers,” he said. “That makes me a Canadian with deep, deep Ukrainian roots. I’ve been fortunate to have visited Ukraine several times, working on the ground with farmers. So, when the invasion happened, particularly in Sumy Oblast where I had been, the attacks struck very close to home for me.” Starting from the earliest days of the war, he reached out to colleagues, friends and acquaintances, primarily through social media, to raise aid money. To date, he’s collected more than $100,000, the majority through agricultural connections. A portion of these funds have been used to purchase equipment Damaged buildings, grain storage facilities and equipment are a common sight on Ukrainian farms such as this one in Chernihivska Oblast near the Russian border. One source estimates the Ukrainian agriculture sector has sustained $6 billion in direct losses and $30 billion in indirect losses. Photo: Courtesy of AgriLab.