2027 will be the 100th anniversary of the OVSGA, and out of that organization the farm show developed. As president Gordon so aptly said, “We’ve had 99 practice years, so next year, we’ll get it right.” Tinkess Photo

OTTAWA – The 67th edition of the Ottawa Valley Farm Show (OVFS) kicked off on Tues., March 10 at Ottawa’s EY Centre, and judging from the few vacant parking spots, many people had decided to avoid Wednesday’s forecast of freezing in favour of visiting on opening day.

While the doors opened to visitors at 9:00 a.m., the grand opening took place in the main lobby, next to the North Gower Grains dining hall. Once again, dignitaries were led into the lobby by a Piper and Drummer, after which Ottawa Valley Seed Growers Association (OVSGA) President Don Gordon welcomed OVFS coordinator Lauren Casselman to lead everyone in Oh Canada while the flag was raised.

Gordon next welcomed Farm Credit Canada (FCC), the official Ag Business partner and Bean Chevrolet Buick GMC, the red-ribbon partner.

Minister of Agriculture Trevor Jones, Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes MPP Steve Clark, Lanark-Frontenac-Kingston MPP John Jordan, and Carleton MPP George Darouze were the next to be introduced, but only Minister Jones had the opportunity to address the audience.

“I’d like to thank the Ottawa Valley Sea Growers Association, for hosting this event, and offer my sincere congratulations, for a very special 99 years of dedicated service to our community. Thank you.

“Ontario’s agriculture and food sector is an economic powerhouse, and you know that,” said Minister Jones. “It contributes more than $52 billion annually to our economy. So, food and agriculture and agribusiness is far greater than steel and auto and manufacturing. It’s food, that’s what the economy’s built on. Thank you for that.”

Jones went on to comment on the Provincial government’s plan to protect Ontario’s food sector. “As part of that commitment, we’ll continue to make strategic investments, again, informed by you, our farmers, our food producers, and all the people and businesses that support them to grow and expand into new markets,” said Minister Jones.

“Today’s farm show is a great opportunity to experience the innovation and technology that’s further advancing Ontario. I encourage everyone to visit our OMAFA   booth, where staff from the Research Innovation Branch, together with our colleagues from nearby Kemptville will be showcasing some of the very best made in Ontario agrifood innovations.”

With that, Gordon completed the ceremonies by thanking everyone for coming and encouraging them to enjoy the show.

The EY Centre is eastern Ontario’s largest purpose-built exhibition facility, yet even with 220,000 sq. ft. of event space, the OVFS manages to fill it. From the massive pieces of modern farm equipment to the smallest child’s toy model, almost every space is utilized.

As you would expect many of the most popular parts of the show repeat year after year, but that is part of the attraction of the show. For many families, the annual pilgrimage to the farm show is an event not to be missed. Some come for the speakers and this year for live music, some come for the championship seed, feed and forage show, some come to see the latest and greatest in cutting edge agriculture technology, while many wouldn’t miss the opportunity to visit Memory Lane and the Vintage Iron and Traditions of eastern Ontario display, and remember.

2026 is the 99th anniversary of the OVSGA, and out of that organization the farm show developed. As president Gordon so aptly said, “We’ve had 99 practice years, so next year, we’ll get it right.”