The Innovative Farmer Award was presented to Brian and Elisabeth Vandenberg. Jessica Menkhorst Courtesy Photo

By Donald R. Good, P.Ag.
AgriNews Staff Writer

CHESTERVILLE – The Dundas Soil and Crop Improvement Association held its annual general meeting on Tues., Dec. 9 in the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 434 in Chesterville. President Jason Byvelds welcomed everyone to the meeting.

The morning session featured 6 speakers, including Barb Keith; Ontario Soil & Crop Association, (OS&CA) who brought us up to date on active programs, including natural grassland establishment, perennial biomass crops, reduced tillage, tree and shrub plantings, water retention features and wetlands. Details of these programs can be found on the Association’s website, Gilles Quesnel provided crop updates 2025, particularly emphasizing the dry summer with generally half the normal rainfall, Ian Deschiffart from the University of Guelph discussed crop research updates, Laura Scott provided an update on OMFARA projects, Scott Banks of Agricorp emphasized the need to keep good records and claim supporting evidence and finally Warren Schneckenburger on behalf of the Association provided a description of the efforts to rebuild the shop by developing a new culture, governance and restructuring, with emphasis on new funding relationships.

During the AGM portion of the meeting, the 2026 Board of Directors was elected as follows: President, Jason Byvelds; Vice President, Matt Spruit; Past President, Wray Holmes; Secretary-Treasurer, Jessica Menkhorst; Directors at Large: Michael Glaus, Andy Puenter, Dave Barkley, Ben Leach, Tyler Hoy, Josh Jaquemet and Paul Emprey. There are also 16 Directors representing the Townships.

The final speaker was Nathan Allen of Allen Insurance Group who led us through the intricacies of farm insurance. Nathan emphasized the need to disclose everything to your Broker when setting up insurance and to update the insurance company when making changes. Failure to disclose new projects or equipment could result in loss of coverage. He also advised that under coverage of the value of buildings etc. could result in a reduction of the payout.