By Dan Sullivan
Catholic Herald
Farmers get a good price on seeds at sale
SUPERIOR -- Farmers in the Diocese of Superior once again had the opportunity to purchase seed at a reduced rate thanks to Project Seed. The sale was held March 31 at St. Peter Church in Cameron.
"Last year we sold about a semi (trailer) load of seed." said Ted Weiss, a farmer who is a parishioner of St. Joseph Parish in Barron.
Project Seed was first started about five years ago in the Diocese of La Crosse, as a joint effort between Catholic Charities and a Twin Cities firm. Weiss recalled getting a seed supply for his farm there.
This was the third year the sale was held in Cameron. Seed that was sold included alfalfa, clover and variety of corn mixes. The seed was supplied from Bloomer Co-op Seed in Bloomer, Wis.
"We work together to get it to Cameron," Weiss said. "It's all being done because the seed company discounted it for this project," he said.
The Bloomer Co-op became involved when a patron approached them about the idea. The customer was Tony Simon, a member of the rural life committee in the Diocese of La Crosse and a member of St. Peter Parish in Tilden, Wis.
"We now supply seed for their entire sale," said Jim Jorgensen, a salesman at the co-op and a member of St. Peter Parish in Cameron. "Our semi (trailer) will be loaded to the max with seed variety and seed maturities."
"It was out of concern for the farmer that this whole project has been formed in La Crosse and in Diocese of Superior. They wanted to do something positive to help their farmers," Jorgensen said.
Seeds do not have to be pre-ordered. "It's a little more convenient if they are, but they don't have to be," said Jorgensen.
Last year 503 bags of seed were sold. A cash reward, based on the number of bags sold, went to the parish in Cameron. "That's an important part of this effort," Jorgensen said. "If we don't have the parish support, the sales are not successful."
This seed sale is promoted for all farmers, regardless of their religious affiliation.
Jorgensen said the co-op can hold the sale because of the help extended. "Its a profitable venture because of the volunteers involved," he said "This whole thing is done out of concern for the area farmers. Our margin on this seed isn't as great if it was sold through normal channels."
To some the project was a difference between farming and collecting welfare. Walter Herrman is one farmer who is grateful for the project. Herrman operates a 1,400 acre farm in Barron Township. Included in the fields will be 900 acres that will be devoted to corn.
"Two years it helped me out during a tough financial situation because of the low cost of the seed," he said. "Even though it was low cost it was still high quality seed. I hope it continues, because there is a need."
© Superior Catholic Herald, 2004