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 traces those humble beginnings back 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 20 years to 2011, the sale has raised more than $100,000. 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 equipment is definitely one of the biggest drawing cards," says former 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 seed awards reception and the first-day official opening.

In 2010, the OVFS was selected as a member of the prestigious Farm Show Council which includes major shows throughout North America and in New Zealand. The objective is to make sure farm show exhibitors and visitors are being provided with the most professional event possible.

All that for a $10 entrance fee, with children under 12 - the farmers of the future - admitted free. See you at the show!
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, central home at Ottawa's Lansdowne Park where it remained until 2011. Then, for the first time in more than half a century, it relocated again, to the new CE Centre on Uplands Drive.

When the show settled at Lansdowne, a major equipment manufacturer spotting a good opportunity set up a display of new machinery.

The idea caught on, eventually 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 350 exhibitors. Now, the same number of exhibitors are located under one roof at the 150,000 square-ft. CE Centre.
Mack James and  Graham Hudson are interviewed by CJOH's Leanne Cusack