Donkers gives back through Breakfast on the Farm
By Kaitlynn Anderson
Farms.com
Shedden-area farmer Ed Donkers is a perfect example of rural resilience overcoming tragedy.
In December 2013, Donkers lost 900 goats in a barn fire. The blaze made its way onto national newscasts.
Donkers made news on Saturday for a different reason, hosting a sold-out Breakfast on the Farm, an event organized by Farm & Food Care Ontario.
“To the consumers who maybe don’t know where food always comes from, I hope we showed them a great place,” said Donkers. “We gave away cheese and pasteurized milk, and that was very popular.
“I don’t know the numbers yet, but it was a perfect day, and I hope everyone had a good time.”
Farm & Food Care Ontario flickr photo (From L to R: MP Karen Vecchio, Ed Donkers, MPP Jeff Yurek)
The Southwold Township producer explained that his barn fire was an experience that changed him “from being solely a farmer into being an activist for farming.”
So, an ideal candidate to host a Breakfast on the Farm.
Farm & Food Care Ontario, the agricultural advocacy group based in Guelph, should be credited for the event’s success, Donkers reports.
“Farm & Food Care did an amazing job of organizing. They deserve a lot of praise for what they pulled off.”
Donkers started farming with his parents 25 years ago, running a dairy operation. He moved to goats in 2008.