Hundreds of hard working farmers, their families, staff and business supporters attended CFAM Radio 950's Farmer Appreciation Lunch Tuesday at a new location, the Meridian Exhibition Centre in Winkler. The indoor site provided the perfect atmosphere to gather, reflect on the growing season so far and provide a sincere gesture of thanks to one of the most important economic drivers of the province, the agriculture sector.

Morning Show Co-Hosts Chris Sumner and Zack Driedger, along with Saturday morning host Eva Heide, Sports Director Clayton Dreger, Celebrate Summer Host Abby Wall and a large number of staff from our Altona and Winkler studios greeted, served and spent time connecting with those who made the trip.

A huge thank you to our business partners (you can see the entire list below), and to YOU for being part of the Farmer Appreciation lunch! We served about 600 people.

Now, to that final piece of business... who is the winner of the Meridian GrainMax 3000 hopper bottom bin, as well as the rebar, lumber and concrete pad (courtesy of Parkside Home Hardware Building Centre, Mid City Redimix and DNP Construction) to set it up perfectly on their farm.

And that winner is... Randy Suderman of Gnadenthal! He's in his thirteenth season, and farms alongside his father-in-law and brother-in-law.

"That's amazing, That's awesome," exclaimed Randy when Chris Sumner told him the amazing news Wednesday. "I've entered I don't know how many times, but you never really think you're actually going to be the winner for all the guys that cycle through there."

The farm grows a wide variety of crops including wheat, canola, corn, soybeans and edible beans.

"We all enjoy what we do, and we have our jobs and we enjoy it, so it's fun to do together and take every day as it comes," said Suderman. "I love it. I enjoy it, and I take every challenge as it comes, and try to do my best with it. (You) put in the crop every year, and you hope for the best."

And speaking of this year's crop, how is it looking?

"It looks good," he shared. "I don't want to be a pessimist, I guess, but could we have got some some more rain earlier on,  and the crops could look a little better, yes. At the same time, for the amount of rain we have got and the way it kind of started this year, I would say we're at it looks good. (I) don't want to just be all doom and gloom, so I'm optimistic, and I think we should end up with a good year yet."   

You can listen to Randy's excitement in his conversation with Chris, below, which includes Randy sharing... almost at the last moment... it's his birthday today (July 12th)!

- With files from Abby Wall -