The Ottawa Valley Farm Show (OVFS) is Ontario's longest running agricultural trade show. From the beginning, it has been organized by farmers for farmers on a non-profit basis. The OVFS, which in 2010 will be held March 16, 17 and 18 at Lansdowne Park in Ottawa, traces those humble beginnings back 83 years to 1927, back to the Town of Renfrew.

It was there  that the newly formed Ottawa Valley Seed Growers Association sponsored its first local seed fair at Renfrew Collegiate. The primary objective of that first show was consistent with today's main purpose: to assist in producing, grading, selling and distributing high class and registered seed. The Prestigious Pedigreed Seed Sale for the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario continues to be a highlight of the three-day show. Over 18 years to 2009, the sale has raised $80,537. In 2001, the Seed Growers initiated a new tradition of also auctioning off a piece of rural art as part of the fundraiser.
HUMBLE BEGINNINGS GIVE ROOT TO FARM SHOW
The idea caught on, transforming the annual event into the biggest seed and machinery show east of Toronto; it gradually grew out of one building into six display areas accommodating more than 300 exhibitors. Association directors decided to expand the show in 2002 by taking over the Civic Centre arena floor and, in 2003, continued the expansion by adding the Civic Centre Concourse.

"The equipment is definitely one of the biggest drawing cards today," says Seed Growers President Jim Arbuckle. "Our show is only a month away from the crop season and people are looking to buy."

The show continues to improve its offerings to the regional agricultural community. In addition to seed and machinery, the OVFS traditionally includes livestock displays, 4-H exhibits, arts and crafts, farm toys and books, tools, equipment, associations, financial institutions, and just about every other product and service of special interest to the farm and rural community. On top of the Pedigreed Seed Sale, other highlights include the annual Awards Banquet and first-day official opening.

All that for an old-fashioned $8 entrance fee, with children under 12 admitted free.
In the early days, the  Seed Fair rotated each year from community to community throughout Eastern Ontario and West Quebec. Much later, after it had grown too big for rural venues, what became the Ottawa Valley Farm Show found a permanent home at Ottawa's Lansdowne Park near the centre of the urban core where it has remained ever since.

"It was in 1955 that we opened the Championship Feed and Seed Show at Lansdowne," says Mack James of Carleton Place who was there then and continues to work with the Farm Show. James remembers clearly when the original show used to move around the Valley.

When the show settled in Ottawa, a major equipment manufacturer, spotting a good opportunity, set up a display of new machinery.
Mack James and  Graham Hudson are interviewed by CJOH's Leanne Cusack