| January 31, 2008 OVFS SWITCHES TO FREEMAN After several editions using the display services of Marquee Rentals, the Ottawa Valley Farm Show switched for 2008 to Freeman, one of the largest suppliers of drapes, carpet and other show equipment in North America. “We decided it was time for a fresh approach in dressing up the show,” said General Manager Tom Van Dusen. “There won’t be any dramatic changes, but likely some subtle differences in the overall presentation.” Exhibitors are invited to contact Freeman to discuss their needs at 613-748-7180. PHOTO CONTEST WINNERS GET OVFS TICKETS With winners to be displayed at the Forum booth in the 2008 Farm Show, deadline for the 4th Annual Farmers Forum Photo Contest is Feb. 21. Among prizes this year will be a $100 gift basket, four admission tickets to the show and a Case toy tractor from exhibitor JR Brisson of Embrun. The theme, says the Forum’s Patrick Meagher, is “People on the Farm.” Up to 10 photos can be submitted per contestant. Anything goes, says Pat, except perhaps a shot of “crazy Aunt Jane skinny dipping in the St. Lawrence River.” ***** Archived Items ***** OVFS THANKS COFFEE SPONSORS Management of the Ottawa Valley Farm Show would like to thank sponsors of the coffee and donuts offered every morning to exhibitors during the three days of the show. The sponsors include M & P Farm Equipment, Fawcett Tractor Supply, Farm Credit Canada, Pro Seeds of Canada, Ontario Plowmen’s Association and GreenField Ethanol, all of whom are also exhibitors. February 26, 2007 BEEF SUNDAE ANYONE? IT’S DAILY STAPLE AT NY FARM SHOW FARM SHOW PARTNERS WITH OUTSTANDING YOUNG FARMERS The Ottawa Valley Farm Show is working closely with Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers organization in joint promotion. OYF has timed its Ontario meeting to be held this year at the Travelodge in Ottawa’s west end (March 12-14) to coincide with the 2007 farm show March 13-15 at Lansdowne Park. Cobden dairyman Don Russell, who currently holds both the Ontario and Canadian OYF title with wife Joanne, said the organization likes to tie in with major agricultural gatherings across the country. The Russells will officially open the OVFS at noon March 13 and farm show manager Tom Van Dusen will speak to the OYF banquet that same evening. “Outstanding Young Farmers is a very positive force in Ontario and Canadian agriculture, one we’re only too happy to support,” Van Dusen said. February 13, 2007 FIRST CROP JUDGING WORKSHOP RATED A SUCCESS “It was quite a success,” said Ottawa Valley Seed Growers Association director Jim Arbuckle of the association’s first Field Crops Judging Workshop held in Kemptville Feb. 7. Arbuckle spearheaded the event which drew 31 participants as a means of enhancing both the number and abilities of judges who assess field crops leading up to the annual Ottawa Valley Farm Show where crop awards are displayed. “It certainly didn’t hurt our image,” he said of reaction to the workshop which drew attendees from across Eastern Ontario. Arbuckle thanked several directors, OVSGA secretary-treasurer Mary Joynt, along with Paul Sullivan and Scott Banks for contributing to the success of the training and refresher session. March 10, 2006 SEAWAY VALLEY PRESIDENT TO ADDRESS OFFICIAL OPENING Richard Lavigne, president of Seaway Valley Farmers Energy Cooperative, will present a brief update of efforts to launch an ethanol distilling plant in Cornwall when he opens the 2006 Ottawa Valley Farm Show at 12 noon March 14. The official opening will be held at the Ottawa Valley Seed Growers Association display area at the east end of the Civic Centre Concourse. While Lavigne won’t be able to announce a start date for the project, he said the prognosis continues to be positive... despite several setbacks. The OVSGA is a major investor in the ethanol plant. LOWELL GREEN ROAST FOR FOOD AID COMING UP Food Aid founder Wyatt McWilliams will be selling tickets at the 2006 farm show for an April 20 roast of CFRA personality Lowell Green, with all proceeds going to the cause. With tickets going for $100 each, McWilliams will man a booth on the Civic Centre Concourse where he’ll also promote the 2nd annual Food Aid radiothon on CFRA coming up in May. The first radiothon raised about $100,000. McWilliams said Green was asked to be a roast victim in support of the Food Aid collaboration between the Eastern Ontario agricultural community and the Ottawa Food Bank because of his farm background and steady support for the industry. The roast will be held at Lansdowne park beginning at 5:30 pm. March 8, 2006 PAPER TO DISPLAY PHOTO WINNERS AT FARM SHOW Smile, you’re on display at the Farm Show! Long-time exhibitor, Eastern Ontario Farmers Forum, held a photo contest, with a basket full of prizes to be awarded during this year’s Ottawa Valley Farm Show. The contest was open to all ages, says publisher Patrick Meagher, with contestants asked to focus on favourite on-farm scenes. The winner of this year's Farmers Forum photo contest is Judy Caird, of Sydenham, for her photo of a calf in a round bale. The best photos will be displayed at the Farmers Forum booth in the Coliseum during the farm show. February 13, 2006 EBI ANCHORS NEW LIVESTOCK SECTION With the cooperation of Eastern Breeders Inc., the Ottawa Valley Farm Show will feature an expanded and relocated livestock section in 2006. While the new attraction doesn’t mark the full return of live animals which left the show three years ago when the Sprung Structure at Lansdowne Park was torn down, EBI will bring in five dairy heifers to a pen at the west end of the Civic Centre Concourse. To be surrounded by the breed information booths previously located elsewhere on the Concourse, the AI co-op will offer continuous educational presentations on a wide range of agricultural subjects including showmanship, on-farm herd management software, cattle evaluation and proper semen handling procedures. The 2006 farm show will also serve as launchpad for the most state-of-the-art genetics management program available... ProGen, a revolutionary tool designed by experts for experts. “With the power and flexibility of ProGen, dairy breeders will be able to optimize the genetic progress of their herds,” says EBI’s Paul Stewart. January 26, 2006 4-H TO CLOWN AROUND AT 2006 FARM SHOW Once again, the 2006 Ottawa Valley Farm Show will land during Spring Break for many Ontario schools and management is getting ready. As a special treat for farmers of the future attending the show with their parents, the Ottawa Valley Seed Growers Association will be presenting the 4-H Clown Club under the direction of Barb Smith. Dressed in full clown costumes, five young club members will tour the farm show site, stopping to briefly entertain visiting children. As part of the 4-H display on the Civic Centre Concourse, the club will operate a stand offering face painting and balloon animals. “It’s a great fit,” said OVFS General Manager Tom Van Dusen. “It’s another way to support 4-H while providing a colourful attraction at the show.” 4-H TO BENEFIT FROM CONTAINER RECYCLING Not sure what to do with those clean, empty Merial Canada Inc. containers? Take them into the 2006 Ottawa Valley Farm Show and help 4-H in the process. A show exhibitor, Merial will set up a collection point outside the Civic Centre during the show where beef and dairy producers can drop off their empty Ivomec and Eprinex brand containers for recycling, said company sales rep Michel Leblanc. In line with a successful program introduced in Western Canada about six years ago, Merial will donate $2 to 4-H for each 2.5 L container, $3 for a 5 L container, and $12.50 for a 20 L container. Leblanc said he’s working to introduce the program in Eastern Ontario as a win-win for both the environment and youth agricultural programs. Michel points out the containers are processed into new molded plastic items, not re-used for Merial products. For further details, see the 4-H Ontario Press Release. (Use your Browser's Back Button to return here.) SEED AWARDS CEREMONY MARCH 15, 2006 The Ottawa Valley Seed Growers Association will host a reception for Seed Awards winners March 15, the second day of the 2006 Ottawa Valley Farm Show at Lansdowne Park. To be held on the Civic Centre Concourse beginning at 12 noon, the event will consist of awards presentation open to all visitors, and luncheon reserved for winners and their guests. Last year, the ceremony was held on the final day of the show following the annual Prestigious Pedigreed Seed Sale which will keep its usual time slot on the Concourse, 12 noon, March 16. “We decided to separate the awards ceremony from the sale and give it stature on its own as an important part of the show,” said Seed Committee Chairman Jim Arbuckle. SEED SALE PROCEEDS TO BE SPLIT After several years of supporting the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario with more than $60,000 in returns from the annual Prestigious Pedigreed Seed Sale, Ottawa Valley Seed Growers Association directors have decided to begin dividing proceeds between CHEO and the Canadian Foodgrains Bank. In the past, explained Seed Committee chairman Jim Arbuckle, the children’s hospital got a cash donation and the foodgrains bank was given bags of auctioned seed, always a cumbersome process. “Starting with the 2006 sale March 16, we’re going to split the proceeds right down the middle.” FARM SHOW TO FEATURE NEW LIVESTOCK SECTION The west end of the Ottawa Civic Centre Concourse is being reconfigured to feature livestock breeds and breeding information at this year’s Ottawa Valley Farm Show. Since the Ottawa Valley Seed Growers Association stopped featuring live animal displays and sales at the Farm Show following the decision by Lansdowne Park management to dismantle the Sprung Structure, breed information booths have set up been on the Concourse, but not highlighted. This year, said Livestock Committee chairman John Joynt, they’ll be grouped around an expanded Eastern Breeders Inc. display in the western corner on the Concourse, including a couple of live calves in a pen. “With the Sprung gone and nothing to replace it, we aren’t able to feature livestock the way we used to,” Joynt said. “This is the next best thing and I’d like to thank EBI for agreeing to anchor it.” Over the course of the three-day show, EBI has agreed to present several information sessions at its new booth. February 3, 2005 CATERER RETURNS FOOD CONCESSION TO COLISEUM For the first time in two years, Lansdowne Park caterer Aramark will operate a food concession in the Coliseum during the 2005 Ottawa Valley Farm Show. Last year, the caterer went part way by providing a mobile coffee and snack service. In response to requests from exhibitors as relayed by Farm Show management, Aramark will upgrade to a concession providing hot and cold beverages, snacks such as candy bars and potato chips, as well as hot dogs and pizza slices. As usual, full lunches will be available in the main exhibit halls dining room; Aramark will also operate a canteen in the Aberdeen Pavilion, and food and drink stands at either end of the Civic Centre (south east and south west corners). Pizza Pizza will be on the Concourse, and the Women’s Institutes of Eastern Ontario will offer tea and cookies (for a donation) in the exhibit halls. NO PARKING RELIEF THIS YEAR Farm Show management has been unable to reduce the parking fee of $5 a day for its exhibitors. The fee is levied by Lansdowne Park management with no control by the Farm Show and no share of the revenues. Discussions held with park managers in an attempt to get the parking charge eliminated, or at least reduced, have so far been unsuccessful. The Farm Show is not in a position to offset total parking costs without substantially raising booth rental rates. January 24,2005 PAPER TO DISPLAY PHOTO WINNERS AT FARM SHOW Smile, you’re on display at the Farm Show! Long-time exhibitor, Eastern Ontario Farmers Forum, is holding a photo contest, with a basket full of prizes to be awarded during this year’s Ottawa Valley Farm Show. The contest is open to all ages, says publisher Patrick Meagher, with contestants asked to focus on favourite on-farm scenes. Deadline is March 1, with digital photos accepted by email (farmfor@magma.ca), and prints to be sent to the newspaper at Box 672, Kemptville, ON, KOG 1JO. Winners will be shown at Farmers Forum’s Coliseum booth. January 19, 2004 SEED GROWERS STREAMLINE AWARDS CEREMONY Ottawa Valley Seed Growers have decided to modify their annual awards ceremony by moving away from a banquet on the second evening of the Ottawa Valley Farm Show to a more informal reception and presentation. The new format will be introduced March 17 - the final day of the show - after the annual Prestigious Pedigreed Seed Sale which directs proceeds to the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario. Winners will be notified in advance and invited to a reception and presentation at the west end of the Civic Centre Concourse where the seed sale is held. Seed Committee chair Kathy Hardy said the new format will be more efficient and more affordable: “Many of our winners will find it much more convenient to attend an afternoon reception than an evening banquet,” Hardy observed. NEW SEED SHOW AWARD INTRODUCED Pedigreed seed judging held as part of the Ottawa Valley Farm Show will feature a new award this year. It’s a plaque for Champion and Reserve among companies donating lots of seed to the annual Prestigious Pedigreed Seed Sale. Annually, several seed companies donate bags of their product to the sale overseen by John Joynt, a director with the Seed Growers and a professional auctioneer. They often buy them back to increase the contribution to the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario. “It’s one way we have of showing our gratitude to these companies,” said Seed Committee chair Kathy Hardy. SEED SHOW AWARDS RENAMED Every year, Ottawa Valley Farm Show sponsors, the Ottawa Valley Seed Growers Association, hands out some 25 awards and citations to deserving seed producers in Eastern Ontario. Due to company reorganizations, two of those trophies are being renamed this year: The Novartis award for best corn sileage becomes the NK Brand Syngenta Seeds award, while the Nutrite award for championship ear of corn is now sponsored by synAgri. In other award news, Mack and Lois James, long-time association members and supporters, have taken over sponsorship of the prize for winner of most points in the 4-H classes from Bill and Margaret Cross, two other long-time members. |
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Always in search of new ideas, a busload of directors and friends of the Ottawa Valley Farm Show took in the 22nd annual New York Farm Show in Syracuse February 24 and came away impressed. With some 425 exhibitors covering more than 215,000 square-ft., the show is well laid out in five buildings on the grounds of the New York State Fair and has such special features as an antique room and a farm toy room. OVFS manager Tom Van Dusen had a productive discussion with his counterpart in Syracuse Scott Grigor who was good enough to provide complimentary free admission tickets to the Canadian visitors. |
| One of the highlights was the value-added Hot Beef Sundae available for $5, with mashed potatoes replacing ice cream, beef tips in gravy substituting for chocolate sauce, grated cheddar instead of chopped nuts, all of it topped with a cherry tomato. A limited supply sold out on all three days of the show, with profits going to junior beef producers.
The photo shows cattle breed princesses serving up hot beef sundae. |