Perfectly piped
Chess Booth piped in the honoured guests during the opening ceremony of the Ottawa Valley Farm Show. Sawyer Helmer photo
These gorgeous quilts were just a few of the many on display at the OVFS. Volunteers (one of whom is shown here) quilted at the show. Also shown are interpreters from Upper Canada Village, who make an annual appearance at the show. Vetter photo
by Candice Vetter
AgriNews Staff Writer
OTTAWA – The 91st annual Ottawa Valley Farm Show once again welcomed thousands of visitors to the EY Centre in Ottawa from March 13 to 15.
A 1957 620 John Deere, displayed by Glen Edwards and Family, made for an interesting stop during the Ottawa Valley Farm Show. Sawyer Helmer photo
As usual, the newest farm technology was on display with sales representatives on hand to discuss new trends and techniques ranging from precision planting, to GPS and drone use, to robotic milkers and feed pushers, to new seed varieties. Besides technology, farm advocates were on hand, as well as financiers and advisors of all stripes.
The highlight of the show, the Ottawa Valley Seed Growers Association’s pedigreed seed auction, included not only award-winning seed, but also donated items like the quilted hanging from Flair with Fabrics of Chesterville, an oil painting, the toy tractor which always sparks auction fever, a cast iron tractor seat from Vintage Iron & Traditions of Eastern Ontario, a signed copy of the HomeGrown cookbook, and other unique items. This year’s toy tractor was a John Deere, in celebration of John Deere’s 100th anniversary.
Many of the seed buyers immediately donated the seed they had just paid top dollar for to the Canadian Foodgrains Bank, thereby doubling their donations. Funds raised at the auction went to the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario, which this year received $15,000 – an impressive amount to raise in an hour-long auction.
