Several Canadian Foodgrains Bank growing projects in Manitoba are harvesting their crops.

In the Rosenfeld area, the Common Ground project is a few weeks away from harvesting the 300 acres of canola that was planted in spring.

The crop is looking pretty good despite a late start this year, according to project spokesman Kevin Nickel.

"That was part of our strategy so that it would be ready during that time when farmers are finished harvesting their own canola and before the soybean harvest starts. So, we're hoping we'll have farmers with some free time to help us take off the crop, which should be in the next couple of weeks."

This year's growing project has not been without its challenges, said Nickel, especially with the dry conditions.

"We decided to float our seed and fertilizer altogether and incorporate the seed with a harrow, which has been a strategy that's worked well in years past with as much rain as we've had most years in spring. This year, however, the rains were few and far between we had a lot of trouble getting that seed started and we were actually considering reseeding at one point, but decided to leave it and in the end we were really surprised with the kind of crop we got."

Many producers across the province are participating in growing projects, giving the proceeds from the sale of a portion of their crop to the Foodgrains Bank.

Nickel has been a part of the Common Ground project for several years and remains a strong supporter of the concept.

"It's a great community builder, and we're feeding starving people in the world, so it's a great cause. It does come with it challenges, but the benefits certainly outweigh those challenges."