2022 Spotlight on Agriculture Gala

THIS EVENT IS AVAILABLE TO 2020 TICKET HOLDERS

All current public health protocols will be in place at this event. Guests will be required to submit PROOF OF FULL COVID-19 VACCINATION ahead of the event and upon entry to the Commonwell Exhibition Building.

Committee Members

Robin Brown, Chair

Tara MacArthur, Vice Chair

Planning & Promotions:

Michelle Torrey, Planning Chair

Allison Nesbitt, Nadine Hilts, Camille Ryall, Taylor VanSchaik, Deb Mulock, Harry Stoddart

Awards:

Kelly Maloney, Awards Chair

Rebecca Parker, Pat O’Reilly, Chad Burley

Sponsorship:

Paul Reeds, Sponsorship Chair

Perri Reesor, Lynda Hamilton,

Secretary:

Jack Kyle

Committee Members

Robin Brown, Chair

Tara MacArthur, Vice Chair

Planning & Promotions:

Michelle Torrey, Planning Chair

Allison Nesbitt, Nadine Hiltz, Camille Ryall, Taylor VanSchaik, Deb Mulock, Harry Stoddart

Awards:

Kelly Maloney, Awards Chair

Rebecca Parker, Pat O’Reilly, Chad Burley

Sponsorship:

Paul Reeds, Sponsorship Chair

Perri Reesor, Lynda Hamilton,

Secretary:

Jack Kyle

Platinum Spotlight on Ag Sponsors

Gold Spotlight on Ag Sponsors

Silver Spotlight on Ag Sponsors

Richardson's Pineneedle Farms	Marquis Snow & Ice/Marquis Farms North Ltd.	TD
Kawartha Dairy Ltd.	Heaven on Seven Catering	Electric Electric
Kawartha Region Conservation Authority	Pearson Insurance Ltd. Representing HTM	Reesor Seed and Grain Ltd.
Scotiabank	Victoria County Grains Ltd.	W.B. White Insurance Ltd.
Big Event Floral & Decorating Co.	Jamie Marquis Trucking Inc.

2020 Spotlight on Ag Award Winners

The Callaghan Family of Maryland Farm are well known in the farming community for their growth and leadership over the years. From their beginnings settling on their farm property in Reaboro in 1841 they have had their roots in agriculture. They brought the first purebred Holsteins to the county in 1918; the first bulk milk tank in 1956; had the first milking parlour and still now, the only biogas digester which produces 500kw of electricity per hour, to support as many as 300 homes. They have hosted numerous agricultural events and open houses and welcome visitors for tours and events from the community, across the country and internationally to see their dairy and biogas operations. Through the use of the latest breeding technologies, equipment and tools they have achieved significant increases in dairy and crop production so that they now produce the same volume of milk from their 240 cows that they previously did from 260 cows. Up to ten members of the family can be found working at Maryland Farm under the leadership of Jim Sr., Phil, Jim, and Len Callaghan, and they have been awarded the 2020 Spotlight on Agriculture in Kawartha lakes Farm Family Award.

Trillium Lamb Inc. was established as collaborative relationship between its producer members and Newmarket Meat Packers. By working together, the members of Trillium Lamb are able to provide Newmarket Meat Packers with consistent quality lamb at the desired carcass weight and finish. Through the use of RFID ear tags animals are tracked from the farm to the packer and carcass data is returned to the producers. Trillium Lamb started with ideas gleaned from an Ontario producer group taking a tour to England to study lamb marketing. With the ideas they saw in England and the interest of Newmarket Meat Packers to have a reliable supply of quality lamb Trillium Lamb Inc. was formed. Trillium Lamb Inc. producers follow National Farm Animal Care Code of Practice and a Quality Assurance check mark system. The 20 producer members market approximately 10,000 lambs per year. Through the leadership of Marc Carere and Dick Kuiperij Trillium Lamb Inc. has grown from an idea to a very successful marketing organization for its members and have been awarded the 2020 Spotlight on Agriculture in Kawartha Lakes Excellence in Agriculture Award.

The Milestone Awards

The Milestone Awards, new in 2020, recognize the significance of the past nearly 200 years of family farming in Kawartha Lakes by recognizing those farming families that have surpassed the milestones of 175 and 150 years. Those years of joy, hardships, training and growth have shaped our agricultural community of today. Three categories (1) Ontario Farm Family: 175 years – Bruce McKeown; (2) County Farm Family: 150 years – Murray Walden, 175 years – Robert MacEachern; (3) Pioneer Farm Family: 150 years – Randy, Carol & Adam Shea, Ralph Squires, Reid & Mark Torrey, 175 years – Bruce & Tim Webster, Jim & Phil Callaghan, Bob, Pat, Chad & Rachel Burley.

2019 Spotlight on Ag Award Winners

Agricultural Excellence Award: Carm Hamilton

In nominating Carm Hamilton the Victoria Beef Farmers emphasized him as an individual of the highest integrity and an exceptional person of commitment, leadership and mentorship to the advancement and promotion of improved agricultural practices.

For 43 years, Carm served agriculture in many capacities, but he first came to Victoria-Haliburton as Agricultural Representative for the Ministry of Agriculture in 1976 where he worked until his retirement in 1993. Victoria County Community Pasture is a significant venture for which Carm acted as Secretary Treasurer for many years. In his retirement Carm continued to be involved in the community through the Lindsay Farmers Market, Kawartha Lakes Community Futures Corporation and ‘Taste of Kawartha’ a grade 3 ag education program.

Carm encouraged and advocated for all to be involved and to see the big picture; to develop their own talents and skills, and to grow to become better agriculturalists. As Carm’s nominator stated “His greatest successes were not his own, but what he inspired and encouraged others to achieve.

Farm Family Award: The Fell Family

The Fells – David and Darlene, and children Brittany, Holly and Derek, are known for their volunteerism and outstanding leadership in the agriculture community. They give freely of their time, and their nominators, Ken Ingram and M. Rae Junkin, note that their easy going, calm personalities make them valued volunteers, and a pleasure to work with. This is something that comes from the generations before them since Squire Fell settled the land in 1854.

The Fells farm approximately 1000 acres north of Fenelon Falls. Primarily a cow-calf beef farm, they also have several breeds of fancy chickens and other poultry.

The Fells can be found in their volunteering capacities with the Fairs – Fenelon, Kinmount and Bobcaygeon. Specifically at Bobcaygeon Fair, Darlene is 2019 Vice-President and Brittany has been the Fair Ambassador. David is a key volunteer with the Victoria County Community Pasture, the Victoria Beef Farmers and the Feather and Fur Club. Derek is honing his leadership skills in 4-H Beef and Poultry Clubs.

It is a family thing for the Fells to be leaders, volunteers and supporters.

Platinum Spotlight on Ag Sponsors

BDO

Staples and Swain

Farm Credit Corporation

BMO

Alliance Agri-Turf

KLHFA

Stewart Morrison Insurance