 |
| January 19, 2005 |
 |
|
| OVSGA STREAMLINES ANNUAL AWARDS CEREMONY |
| The Ottawa Valley Seed Growers Association has revised the traditional format for presenting annual awards to the region’s top pedigreed seed producers.
Traditionally, the awards have been handed out at a banquet on the second evening of the OVSGA’s annual Ottawa Valley Farm Show, to be held this year March 15-17 at Ottawa’s Lansdowne Park, where more than 300 exhbitors will showcase latest equipment and services. The banquet has routinely attracted up to 150 seed growers and family members. It features speeches, entertainment, and a sitdown dinner, with the highlight of the evening being presentation of some 25 awards and citations to annual competition winners. At their regular meeting in Kemptville Jan. 17, OVSGA directors agreed with a proposal put forward by Seed Committee chair Kathy Hardy and committee member Bob Dick that the banquet be retired in favour of a more streamlined format. This year, the awards will be handed out at a special reception following the annual Prestigious Pedigreed Seed Sale, which directs proceeds to the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario. The sale will be held on the Civic Centre Concourse, 12 noon, on the final day of the farm show (March 17). “It’s very convenient,” Hardy said. “During the show, the awards are on display at the OVSGA booth on the Concourse, providing a great backdrop for the ceremony.” Winners will be invited in advance to be on hand for the presentation. Along with sponsors and judges, they’ll also be invited to the OVSGA summer banquet held in conjunction with the association’s annual meeting. Several directors expressed support of the plan, underlining the money to be saved by ending the expensive banquet, the escalating costs of which are covered by the association, including free tickets to invited guests. FOR MORE INFORMATION: Tom Van Dusen, General Manager, OVFS: (613) 445-3407. Kathy Hardy: (613) 989-2054. |