Eight Saskatchewan farms have set aside a total of 500 acres for the charity project to raise money for food aid and international development projects.

The farms are located throughout the province in places like Langenburg, Willowbrook, Rosthern, Biggar and Goodsoil.

Urban and non-farm residents donate money to help pay for inputs needed to grow the crop with a target of $350 an acre.

This is the eighth year for Grow Hope Saskatchewan, which was started by the Canadian Foodgrains Bank, Mennonite Central Committee and the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatchewan.

Grow Hope Saskatchewan started with 160 acres and has raised a total of $1.35 million over the past seven years.  Donations are matched on a 4-1 basis by the Canadian government.

CJWW Agriculture Director Neil Billinger spoke to Rick Block, the Saskatchewan regional representative with the Canadian Foodgrains Bank.  The interview is below and you can learn more about the program here.