(Farragut)--It's true that seeds of faith are planted every day around the world and in KMAland but for one Farragut couple and their church, it takes on a whole new meaning with the Seeds of Faith project.

It all started in 2005 when Lowell Baker of rural Farragut read an article on the Foods Resource Bank in the Wallace's Farmer where funds were being raised for the world's hungry through the raising of crops here in the U.S.

He and his wife, Cindy, took the idea to their church, The Congregational UCC Church in Shenandoah and with much enthusiasm and excellent participation, eight years later around $182,000 has been raised through pledges from church members. Through the years other Shenandoah churches have joined in the cause, including the 1st Christian, Presbyterian and Methodist Churches.

A pledge drive begins in the winter and the number of acres devoted to the project depends on the pledges actually received. All labor, fuel, time and machinery is donated by area farmers for planting and harvest.

Every penny of the pledges goes to a specific sustainable project chosen through the Foods Resource Bank. Projects include the construction of wells and farming tools along with the planting of trees and the purchase of livestock for people in need from countries such as India, Nicaragua, Armenia, Mozambique, Cambodia, Honduras, Zambia and Kenya.

A recent Seeds of Faith ecumenical service drew many people who shared the same goal: Helping to provide food security to a world where one billion people go hungry every day.

If you'd like to learn more about Seeds of Faith, feel free to contact Lowell or Cindy Baker at 712-385-8270.



   

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