New world record set
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- Published on Saturday, November 26, 2016
By Amanda Thorsteinsson
Canadian Foodgrains Bank
It’s official—Guinness World Records has certified that Manitoba now holds the world record for the largest number of antique threshing machines operating simultaneously.
The record was set on July 31, during the 62nd Manitoba Threshermen’s Reunion & Stampede at the Manitoba Agricultural Museum near Austin, Man. In total, 148 threshing machines and over 750 volunteers attempted the record, with 139 threshing machines successful in threshing grain together for 15 minutes. The event produced 1,500 bushels of grain from 30,000 sheaves of winter wheat.
The previous record was 111 machines, held by a group from St. Albert, Ontario.
Harvesting Hope: A World Record to Help the Hungry drew about 8,000 people to the Museum to see volunteers from across Canada and the U.S. set the new world record.
“On behalf of the organizing committee, we would like to thank all the volunteers and sponsors that made this event possible. Without their passion and commitment our organizations could not have created such a successful event. Thank you!” says Elliot Sims, one of the event’s co-chairs.
In addition to setting the record, the event raised $134,000, which is being split between the Canadian Foodgrains Bank, a partnership of 15 churches and church agencies working together to end global hunger and the Museum, which is dedicated to preserving and promoting Manitoba’s agricultural heritage.
A cheque for $67,000 was presented to the Foodgrains Bank on Nov. 21 for use in its programs in Africa to help small-scale farm families grow more and better food. These funds are matched 3:1 by the federal government, making the event’s impact grow even further.
“Events like this show the strength and community spirit of rural Canadians and how they can come together to celebrate their heritage and help others” added Sims.
“We were proud to be a part of this record-breaking event, and grateful to receive a donation to help farmers in the developing world,” says John Longhurst, Director of Resources and Public Engagement with the Foodgrains Bank.
