Pullen awarded, Koch speaks at Huron County Federation of Agriculture's 85th AGM
BY MEL LUYMES
The Huron County Federation of Agriculture hosted an incredible evening on Oct. 15 at the Columbus Centre in Wingham.
About 200 people joined in honour of the federation’s 85th anniversary, including Huron-Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson, who brought congratulations from the province, and MP Ben Lobb, who represents the riding on the federal side. They were joined by the Ontario Queen of the Furrow, staff and directors from the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) and many more.
The Huron County Museum brought a beautiful display of artifacts which lined the far side of the room. It included the plaques of the Huron County inductees to the Ontario Agricultural Hall of Fame.
It was an incredible buffet, with cakes decorated for the occasion. They welcomed a keynote speaker, Chris Koch, who had come in from Alberta. Chris was born without arms or legs but defied all odds and hasn’t let anything stop him. His inspiring message “If I Can,” was well received by the audience.
After a draw for door prizes, there was a short break before the federation hosted its annual general meeting, approving its financial report, electing a new slate of directors for the coming year, and an update on OFA activities from Director Ethan Wallace. He emphasized the federation’s work protecting Ontario’s farmland and its request to the province that it pause and reassess the Alto high-speed rail project.
To conclude the evening, the HCFA presented Florence Pullen with its annual Outstanding Contribution to Agriculture Award.
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Every year, the Huron County Federation of Agriculture presents a local farmer with the Outstanding Contribution to Agriculture Award. This year the award went to Florence Pullen.
Florence was the first in Canada to import embryos from England for her herd of Suffolk sheep, and she used AI (artificial insemination) to improve the genetic quality of her flock. She was a judge for various sheep shows and fairs, taught courses at Centralia College and provided 40 years of leadership to Huron County 4-H, including running the Sheep Club.
The award was accepted on her behalf by a friend Marg Bruton who went on to describe her as “a wife, a mother, a grandmother and a great-grandmother.” She was married to Don Pullen (1937-2025) and she is the mother of David Pullen and Michael Pullen. She is also a breeder of Irish Setters and has volunteered with the Clinton Horticultural Society, Bluewater Kennel Club, St. John Therapy Dog Program and her local United Church. She is also a friend to nature and the environment, always ensuring the bobolinks from her hayfield have nested and fledged before cutting it.
“Most of all, she is a friend to all,” said Bruton, noting how Florence shows passion, concern and support for her friends and family.
“She is a brave, strong lady.” Bruton passed on Florence’s humble gratitude and her regrets that she couldn’t attend in person.
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An Alberta farmer took the stage as the keynote speaker at the 85th annual meeting of the Huron County Federation of Agriculture on Thursday, Oct. 15 at Wingham’s Columbus Centre. Intelligent, funny and handsome, Chris Koch has travelled widely and been invited to speak to groups around the world.
As he approached the raised platform, the audience watched to see how he would get up the two steps. You see, Chris has no arms or legs. He hoisted a skateboard on the stage and then pulled himself up after it.
Chris started from the beginning. He was born without arms or legs, and it was no fault of his parents - just an anomaly. But he said that his family instilled a sense of humour that has taken him a long way. When his grandmother first learned about Chris’s condition, she replied that it made sense because his father never finished anything he started. The audience erupted into laughter.
With one-liners and hilarious anecdotes throughout, Chris gave a powerful message about mind-set and determination.
“I can do more things than I can’t do,” he said. Because everyone asked how he drove farm equipment, he played a video of how he pulls himself up the ladder, into the cab and puts air into the seat so he can reach all the monitors. As the newest equipment doesn’t require using foot pedals, he is able to operate equipment without any modifications.
He has worked in fields around North America, if farmers invited him out. He put it out to the crowd in Wingham.
“Just let me know,” he said. “Maybe Flynns need another half person around harvest time.”
In the field, he can’t use his skateboard, so he hops to move around.
“Canola and corn stubble is the worst,” he said, to a nodding crowd who have often got cuts and scapes from the crop.
He credits his parents for giving him a “can-do” attitude. They didn’t remove all the barriers for him, but instead let him figure out how he would do things. As a result, Chris developed incredible strength, balance and agility. He encouraged parents in the room to not do everything for their children but to allow them to do it for themselves and to give them room to fail as well.
Chris emphasized that we are all capable of doing exceptional things. Our minds - the six inches between our ears - are the strongest muscles we have, but they often get in our way.
It is easy to blame others for our problems - blaming parents, blaming the government, etc. but a pity party is just wasting time on things we can’t change, he said. Be grateful for what you have and don’t think about what you don’t.
Chris reminded the audience not to take anything for granted, because tomorrow is never promised.
He lives his life to the fullest, taking any opportunity to travel and experience all that life has to offer. He and his girlfriend have traveled the world - he even played for the audience a video of him bungee jumping.
He even hitchhiked from Alberta to Prince Edward Island. Over 17 days, he received 37 rides from strangers. As his journey became popular on social media, people volunteered to take him to different parts of the journey or welcomed him into their homes.
“Jump and the net will appear,” he said. “The core of the human spirit comes from new experiences.”
He has even done marathons on his skateboard - once dressed up as Lieutenant Dan while his friend ran as Forrest Gump - and announced to the crowd that the Boston Marathon has allowed him in.
He also shared a time when he spoke to a group of farmers in Australia and was invited to go cage swimming with great white sharks. He couldn’t refuse. On the boat, Chris warned everyone to always keep their arms and legs in the cage. “Look what happened to me,” he said.
Making jokes like that helps to break the ice with people who aren’t sure what to do around him, he added.
On a serious note, he concluded with his “If I Can” message. He reflected on his life and his career as a public speaker. He said that all his adventures would likely not have happened if he had just been born with arms and legs, like everyone else.
He admitted there are still difficult days, especially trying to get through Alberta snow on a skateboard. But, in all, he loves his life and the incredible connections he has made along the way. He encouraged the audience to not wait for their life circumstances to change, but to embrace life now.
Life will give us setbacks, but we must slow down, find the funny, figure it out, and live our lives to the fullest, he concluded.
As he left the stage, the audience rose to a standing ovation. It was an incredible message that they took home that night.
To follow Chris’ journey, he can be found as ifican on social media, or his website: ifican.ca.