OVSGA
The Ottawa Valley Seed Growers Association traces back to 1927, after the First World War, when a group of Ottawa Valley farmers banded together with an aim to help one another merchandise their field crops.
History
The Ottawa Valley Seed Growers Association traces back to 1927, after the First World War, when a group of Ottawa Valley farmers banded together with an aim to help one another merchandise their field crops. The OVSGA was formed, and J.H. Findlay of Arnprior was named the first OVSGA President. Together with the help of local agricultural representatives, the group held the first seed fair at Renfrew Collegiate. The introduction of new and better varieties, merchandizing of increased production, and the continual updating of agricultural information were the founding objectives of the Seed Fair, and continue to drive the modern rendition of the show.
The Seed Fair became an annual event, rotating throughout Eastern Ontario and Western Quebec, between the home communities of the association’s presidents. It travelled through Almonte, Pembroke, Kemptville, Cornwall, Perth, and many towns in between. It eventually developed into a Championship Seed, Feed, and Forage Show, where exhibitors were required to compete at the county level shows for the opportunity to bring their entries to the next level. Over time, the Championship Seed Show added equipment and trade show components, eventually becoming the Ottawa Valley Farm Show. In 1959, the OVFS settled into Lansdowne Park in Ottawa, where it remained until moving to its current location, the EY Centre in Ottawa, in 2012. OVFS is now Ontario’s longest running agricultural trade show with more than 360 exhibitors occupying over 200,000 square feet under one roof.
Vision
The Ottawa Valley Seed Growers Association, sponsors of the Ottawa Valley Farm Show, contributes toward: seed, feed and forage improvements; agricultural research, knowledge, education and advocacy; as well as support of various agricultural and community organizations.
Mission
The Ottawa Valley Seed Growers Association is a not-for-profit organization which provides a forum to disseminate modern agricultural information and promote effective management techniques in the Eastern Ontario and Western Quebec agricultural community.