Huron Perth Junior Farmers win Ontario Club of the Year Award
BY SHAWN LOUGHLIN
The Huron Perth Junior Farmers have been honoured by the Junior Farmers Association of Ontario as the province’s Club of the Year Award winner.
The association handed out its annual awards late last month at a special ceremony in Peterborough, which is tied every year to its March conference, when it’s been able to be held in-person. The club scored 140 out of a potential 150 points with its Junior Farmers Club of the Year submission and 93 out of a possible 100 points in its Agricultural Club of the Year submission.
In the judges’ comments, they noted that the club had demonstrated great creativity in regards to holding meetings amid the COVID-19 pandemic. They also commended the club for its social media engagement.
The judges’ review also noted the club’s support of four area schools through graduation awards that offer scholarships and membership, as well as its recruitment of new members.
The club’s production of The Century Farm Show, both online and on local television stations, particularly impressed the judges. They said the show was an “excellent idea” and a great way to highlight a group of historic farms that is “quietly disappearing” around the province.
They also lauded the club’s Koscamp farm tour and its “Who Let The Hogs Out?” fundraiser that resulted in a large donation to area food banks.
“The 2021 Club of the Year embraced the challenges of keeping their members, alumni and communities engaged this year by continuing to run meetings, projects and socials for their club and community. They had lots of socials throughout the year, such as playing ‘codenames’, having ice cream, pumpkin carving, movie nights and a Christmas potluck,” reads the award presentation. “They were active provincially by bringing three teams to The Amazing Race, having members sit on various committees and travelling to join other clubs for skating, sports and dancing socials. They made an impact in their greater community through their Who Let The Hogs Out? project, they were able to pay to donate two pigs to the local food bank, and by putting on their own sheep show for 4-H members to participate in when the annual shows were cancelled.
“This club stood out as well for their social media presence with posts highlighting local farms, their Century Farm interview videos, a video promoting Canadian agriculture and I believe they are the first Junior Farmers club to enter the world of TikTok. They found creative ways to make someone smile by surprising each other with their ‘COVID Fairy’ project and their members had a blast at their ‘Are You Tired of COVID’-themed competition day.”
Jolande Oudshoorn, president of the Huron-Perth Junior Farmers, said it was a real thrill to be named Club of the Year, but the members worked hard over the course of the year, between fundraisers, member recruitment and retention and raising awareness for some of the club’s most successful historical initiatives (the Century Farm project).
For more information on the club, find it on its various social media channels. Its most recent episode of The Century Farm Show was just released late last month, which focused on the McGavin family of Walton.