By DOUG GRAVES

Ohio Correspondent

TROY, Ohio — In 2009, the farm economy in southwestern Ohio was doing well. Corn and soybean yields were the highest on record, and winter wheat tied the yield record.

But the overall economy was struggling and farmers in Miami County were looking for a way to help their community. And did they ever.

Over the past five years Miami County farmers have donated $35,000 of their harvest proceeds for local hunger programs, an effort they call Bushels for Hunger. “Anytime you put more than $18,000 in the community food pantries over a three-year period, that’s going to go a long way to feed needy families,” said Mandy Havenar, Miami County organization director.

“I have the best job, that I get to contact the local food pantries and let them know how much they’ll be receiving. They are always so overjoyed and thankful.”

Now in its fifth year, Bushels for Hunger is a way for farmers to give back to the community by donating their soybeans, corn and wheat. When they deliver their crop to program partner Troy Elevator, a division of Mennel Milling Co., the elevator keeps track of who has donated, how many bushels are given and the price per bushel that day, then sells the grain.

The collective money from the sales are combined at the end of harvest, and three local food banks receive checks. Giving cash allows those banks to buy exactly what they need. Miami County Farm Bureau has raised more than $35,000 for community needs since the program’s inception.

“We wait until spring to present these checks because these food pantries were swamped with donations around the Christmas holidays,” Havenar said. “These food banks can purchase any food item with these checks.”

Farmer and Miami County Farm Bureau board member Dan Sturgill recalls its board members discussing a program in another state where farmers would drive a semi truck around the county to different farms, and the farmers would unload their crop into the truck for five seconds, then sell the grain and share the proceeds with the community.

But Miami County officials wanted to put its own twist on it and desired a program that was easier to execute. They came up with Bushels for Hunger.

“Pantries have been hit hard, and ‘How can we give?’ is the thought. It’s a no-pressure program for farmers,” explained Sturgill, who has donated grain each of the five years. “Yes, there are tough years. Someone is in hard times, and by the grace of God it could be me. I feel compelled to give.”

Bushels for Hunger is attracting other community partners such as the Miami County Park District. Seed, fertilizer and pest control products were donated, and farmers did the planting and harvesting on land the district set aside. This is the third year the Park District has contributed, plus it publicizes the efforts to its patrons.

The county Farm Bureau also partners with the Health Partners Free Clinic, which designates two acres earmarked for Bushels for Hunger and the proceeds from the harvest provide funds for nutrition education for the clinic.

Cindy Miller, executive director of Covington Outreach, has twice received financial help from Bushels for Hunger. “The pantry benefits, as the money keeps shelves full,” she said.

“We can go out and buy more than we would have been able to because of their generosity. We are an emergency pantry and demand can fluctuate.”

Covington Outreach serves 70 families a month. In addition to food, it also helps families with rent and utilities and its back-to-school program provides book bags, supplies and fees. There also are programs at the holidays and for senior citizens.

 “When I think of all the meals our farmers have provided over the years, it reaffirms to me that farmers are always willing to help their neighbor or community,” Havenar said.