A beary good fundraiser
The Ottawa Valley Seed Growers’ pedigreed seed auction at the OVFS raised $15,000 for the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario. OVSG volunteers pose with Bob Ghosh of CHEO and the CHEO bear at the end of the auction. Vetter photo
The quilted hanging created by Ruth Liscumb of Flair with Fabrics in Chesterville and quilted by Pauline Clarke of 3 Dogs Quilting, as well as a farm scene painting by Carrie Keller, were some of the hot items sold at the OVFS auction on Thurs., March 15. Vetter photo
Candice Vetter
Record Staff
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.
These antique chainsaws were humorously displayed by North Russell resident and owner Henry Staal of VITEO at the Ottawa Valley Farm Show. Vetter 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’ pedigreed seed auction, includes not only award-winning seed, but also donated items like the quilted hanging from Flair with Fabrics, 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. George Tackaberry and Sons of Athens purchased it in an exciting auction for $4,500, seeming willing to pay any price, but two other bidders dropped out around $3,000 and $4,000.
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.
Editor’s note: Due to space limitations in the Record, additional in-depth articles, results and photos for the Ottawa Valley Farm Show will be published in the April issue of the Eastern Ontario AgriNews.
