A farm in Niverville has committed up to 300 acres for MCC's Grow Hope for Syria.

Brad Reimer is the Director of Communications and Donor Relations for MCC Mantioba. He says the Grow Hope project allows people to sponsor an acre of crop for $300 which covers the costs of farming it. The money that comes from that crop is then put into MCC's account with the Canadian Foodgrains Bank. He notes last year was the first year for Grow Hope and it was more successful then they hoped.

“It was one of those moments when something really clicked with people. We had initially hoped for 50 acres and we ended up with 204. We were quite humbled and surprised by how interested people were. In the end it raised a little over $100,000.”

Reimer says the money that they raised is eligible to be matched by the federal government up to a ratio of 4 to 1, which would mean they were able to raise around $400,000. He notes this year they are doing things a little differently with the Grow Hope campaign.

“This year we are again doing it and there are two significant changes, one is that this year it is specifically going to our work in Syria, so it is going to be called grow hope for Syria this year. Secondly the local farmer Grant Dyck has said that he would be willing to go as high as 300 acres.”

Reimer says even though they exceeded expectations in with the inaugural year in 2015 they hope to be even bigger this year.

“if we can raise another $150,000, because it is going to Syria it is almost guaranteed to be a four to one match because it is a disaster match from the federal government. We would love to see this go over half a million dollars towards food relief in Syria.”

Reimer says the Grow Hope project is open to donation for anyone who would like to sponsor an acre of crop.