The Citizen, 2017-05-11, Page 26PAGE 26. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MAY 11, 2017.
Laporte briefs group on 'Soil Your Undies' program
Big winner
Ann Andrew was the big winner at the 110th Anniversary Annual General Meeting of District
8 of the Ontario Horticultural Association. Andrew brought home both the Judge's and People's
Choice awards in the flower show. (Photo submitted)
May 6 brought both showers and
flowers to the Lucknow Community
Centre as the Lucknow Horticultural
Society welcomed over 90 garden
enthusiasts to the 110th Anniversary
Annual General Meeting of District
8 of the Ontario Horticultural
Association (OHA).
Lucknow president and District 8
Director, Sharon Nivins, welcomed
District 8 executive, representatives
from Ontario Ministry of
Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
(OMAFRA) and Huron -Kinloss
Township, and horticulturalists with
a poem by Billy McCoy called, "My
Country Garden".
Wilf Gamble, Deputy -Mayor of
Huron -Kinloss Township, welcomed
guests and Ann Finlayson delivered
greetings from Suzanne Hanna,
President of OHA.
Roll call was answered by
members of 17 horticultural
societies from throughout Bruce,
Grey and Huron Counties. Each
group took the opportunity to
highlight Canada's 150th events and
other special celebrations and
meetings in their areas.
"In Memoriam" commemorated
the passing of society members
through the reading of a poem,
listing of names and a bouquet of
flowers — one for each member.
District 8 business was conducted
at various times throughout the day-
long meeting. Procedural items such
as adoption of minutes of last year's
meeting, treasurer's report and the
appointment of new auditors were
dealt with in the morning.
The first guest speaker was Helen
Scutt, Agriculture Organization
Specialist with OMAFRA, with the
theme, "Growing Your Membership,
Cultivating Diversity". She began
her presentation with the observation
that just as diversity in a garden
makes it more interesting and
vibrant, diversity in an organization
has the same positive effect. Sharing
thoughts on diversity, inclusion and
accessibility, Helen challenged her
audience to identify barriers to
inclusion in their respective
communities and encouraged setting
goals to create more supportive
environments for new members.
Following a full morning program,
a delicious lunch was provided by
Sharon Nivins and Andrea Feeley of
the Lucknow Horticultural Society
with serving assistance of the first
Lucknow Scout Troop.
The second guest speaker was
Jacqui Empson Laporte of Auburn
on the topic, "Nature in Our
Gardens". Jacqui is an
environmental specialist with
OMAFRA and is passionate about
re-establishing connections to the
natural world. Her presentation
demonstrated how her personal
values and life's journey are
reflected in her gardening style and
content.
During her talk, Jacqui raised
eyebrows with her promotion of the
Soil Your Undies program. This
campaign from the Soil
Conservation Council of Canada and
Innovative Farmers Association of
Ontario invites people to test their
soil by burying a pair of 100 per cent
cotton briefs or panties in the
ground. Healthy soil is full of living
organisms that will eat the fabric in a
few months. A step-by-step guide is
provided at www.soilcc.ca
After Jacqui's presentation,
Sharon Nivins revealed the OHA
District 8 Soil Your Undies
Challenge providing a kit complete
with underwear, instructions and
marking flags for each horticultural
society.
Sharon introduced another new
OHA program, the Pollinator Project
Initiative, with a grant of $200
provided to a horticultural society to
plant and maintain a pollinator -
friendly public garden. The criteria
was read and Goderich & District
Horticultural Society was winner of
a draw chosen from interested
societies.
In two separate sets of recognition,
certificates were presented to district
horticultural societies marking
significant anniversaries including
Markdale, 105 years; Teeswater, 95;
Ripley, 90; Hanover, 55; Seaforth
and South Port, both celebrating
45th anniversaries.
Sharon Nivins awarded certificates
of outstanding service to one
member of each society as
nominated by their executive.
Nearing the end of the meeting
and the day, Ann Finlayson installed
the new District 8 Executive; District
Director Vicky Culbert; Past District
Director Sharon Nivins; Assistant
District Directors Theresa
McLaughlin (Grey), Andrea Feeley
(Bruce) and Karen Redmond
(Huron); Secretary Elly Pennings,
Treasurer Susan Watson and
Supplies Carl Preuss.
Ann thanked Sharon for her years
of leadership and service presenting
her with a gift of appreciation. New
District Director Vicky Culbert
thanked Sharon and expressed her
gratitude to Karen Redmond for her
work as District secretary and travel
companion. Karen Redmond
thanked the Lucknow Horticultural
Society for hosting the day's event.
Several activities took place either
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during, behind the scenes or prior to
the meeting. They included a
photography contest, poster
competition for youth, door prizes
and silent auction. Chief among the
competitions however, was the
flower show based on the theme,
"Oh Canada".
In addition to exhibits assessed by
Judge Laurence Ryman, members
attending the meeting voted for a
People's Choice award.
Winners of the photography
competition were Barb Fleming and
Jeanette Martin. Ann Andrew of
Lucknow won both the Judge's and
People's Choice awards in the flower
show.
After a full day of presentations,
competitions, awards and new ideas,
participants of the District 8 AGM
looked forward to returning to their
groups to share their experiences.
Next year's meeting will be hosted
by the Ripley and District
Horticultural Society.
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