The combines that gathered in one of Justin Mohler’s fields on Sept. 23 weren’t there for an ordinary harvest. They were there to harvest soybeans that will be sold to benefit Growing Hope, a joint venture between Love INC (Love In the Name of Christ) and the Boone County Farm Bureau.

Justin Mohler and Mohler Family Farms of Thorntown donated land and sowed the seeds for the 2017 Growing Hope harvest in Boone County. Mohler referenced the old proverb, “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime,” and says that what he likes most about Growing Hope and Love INC is that it’s not just a handout – it’s not just giving people a fish. Instead, Love INC is teaching people to fish by teaching them life skills that will help them break the cycle of poverty.

Love INC of Boone County is a network of churches and agencies that respond to people who need hope in the midst of a difficult time in life. For the Growing Hope program, one farmer donates 40-60 acres that are planted to soybeans. Most of the inputs are donated by businesses in the county, so the farmer incurs little to no cost to put out this crop.

Then, at the end of the season, the farming community gets together to harvest the beans, which go to an elevator while the proceeds go to Love INC.

“It’s about helping neighbors in Boone county, getting the ag and farming community involved and coming together for a common goal,” said Dave Myers, board member for Love INC.

This is the fourth year for Growing Hope but those involved anticipate more to come in the future. For more information, visit Love INC..

(Four farmers participated in the harvest. From left: Allen Mohler, Joe Slipher, Aaron Wilhoite and Matt Ford. Photos by Margaret Gladden, District 5 Education & Outreach Coordinator)