Building from farm tragedy to ‘perfect day’

Jun 27, 2017

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.