SEED GROWERS REVIEW 2013 OVFS, APPROVE DONATIONS
April 29, 2013
Directors of the Ottawa Valley Seed Growers Association approved several donations to agricultural organizations and the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario when they met in Kemptville recently. It was their first full meeting following the 2013 Ottawa Valley Farm Show held in March and most of the agenda was occupied with comments about the show and suggestions for the 2014 edition. (The Seed Growers organize and sponsor the annual Farm Show).
In relation to CHEO, directors confirmed a $6,000 donation, roceeds from the annual Prestigious Pedigree Seed Sale held during the Farm Show. The amount brings to more than $100,000 the total raised for the hospital over the 20 years since the Seed Sale was introduced.
A request from Dale Green of the Richmond Fair to help sponsor the 2013 convention of the Canadian Association of Fairs and Exhibitions was met with a $1,000 Seed Growers contribution. The meeting will be held in Ottawa Nov. 20-23. Green explained that the local organizing committee is trying to raise $50,000 to cover costs of hosting the convention. A major fundraiser will be held at Rideau Carleton Raceway July 7.
The OVSGA set aside $500 to renew its annual membership in the Canadian Agricultural Hall of Fame. The association also pays $1,000 a year for membership in the Ontario Agricultural Hall of Fame.
Turning to regional 4-H, directors allocated $300 to each of the 11 counties of Eastern Ontario, another $300 to counties that have field crop or plowing clubs, and $2,000 to help cover costs of the annual 4-H show in Metcalfe.
In other business, directors approved expenses for a delegation of seven representatives including OVSGA president Bruce Hudson to attend the annual meeting of the Farm Show Council slated for London, Ont., May 6-8. An FSC member, the OVFS is co-hosting the gathering along with Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show based at Woodstock and the International Plowing Match & Rural Expo to be held at Mitchell this year. Directors approved $2,000 to support the FSC meeting.
Formed in 1972, the FSC represents 23 agricultural trade shows in the United States and Canada, with one member in New Zealand. The objective is to improve the value of member shows to exhibitors and visitors through evaluation, communication and education.
Overall, the 2013 OVFS was judged a success with some glitches still to be ironed out after a second year in the Ernst & Young Centre adjacent to Ottawa International Airport.
Several directors commented on the appeal of the expanded 4-H and antique shows held at the front of the building, joined this year by a quilt display and demonstration that will return in 2014.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Tom Van Dusen, OVFS general manager, 613-445-3407.
Tomvandusen@sympatico.ca |
