The Rural Voice, 2000-08, Page 391
Ontario, the whole province has
yielded its place of prominence in
white bean production to western
Canada. The evolution of plant
breeding has produced soybeans that
can now grow on much of the land
previously devoted to white bean
acreage. Given the infamous
susceptibility of white beans to
damage from too much rain, many
Ontario farmers have chosen other
crops as a safer bet. White beans did
make something of a comeback in
Ontario last year but acreage in
western Canada has increased
dramatically again this year.
But with its menu of baked beans
and smoked pork chops, the Bean
Festival is about as close as it comes
to an example of regional cuisine.
The smoked pork chop, a delicacy
found mostly in western Ontario, has
become a fixture at the event since it
was introduced in 1998. For several
years the Perth County Pork
Producers brought over their portable
barbecue and a crew of eight to 10
volunteers to cook the meat. This
year a new barbecue, designed by a
Festival committee member, will
allow two people to barbecue 1,200
pork chops an hour, says Thiel,
cutting down on the number of
volunteers needed.
Still, says Regier, "If you're
involved in anything (in the village)
you get called up to help out." One
year, she remembers, she had to rush
around to help three booths run by
different local organizations she
belonged to. Local groups like the
Lions Club, Knights of Columbus
and Chamber of Commerce also take
on various jobs during the big event.
When it's finally over, one might
expect the volunteers to collapse but
Donna Thiel says rather than being
tired, she usually feels a sense of
disappointment that it's all over for
another year. Over long years of
working together, her kitchen crew
has become friends. For one week a
year you're with a whole different
family, she says and it's hard to say
goodbye when it's over.
The people of the community of
Zurich seem to have discovered the
secret of working together to achieve
something outstanding.
"It's fun along the way," Thiel
says.°
TRACTOR DEMONSTRATION DAY
AND TILLAGE EQUIPMENT
'RIDE AND DRIVE'
Wednesday, August 16, 2000
9:30 - 4:00
1 1/2 miles west of Seaforth on Hwy. 8
Come out and take part in this hands-on
demonstration of the latest in tractor
and tillage technology
Sponsored by:
ZASLIGLIT
Seaforth
(519) 527-0120
CASE Nil
McGavin
Farm Supply
inHURON
TRACTOR
Walton Exeter (519) 235-1115
(519) 527-0245 Blyth (519) 523-4244
SEW HOLLAND
Don't forget to attend the Huron County Plowing Match
Friday, August 25, 2000
Hwy. 87, north of Gorrie
The B & L Farm Service Dairy Plus Program:
The Dairy Industry is an ever changing entity. It is for this reason
that B & L Farm Services Ltd. is utilizing the expertise of a
Consulting Professional Nutritionist
"Goal" to provide the best independent dairy nutritional advice & service.
Janet Kleinschmidt M.Sc., will provide detailed nutrition management to you, the
producer. She comes to you highly qualified. Janet obtained her M.Sc. at the University of
Manitoba in 1988. From there she lectured on Animal Nutrition at the University of Zambia,
Africa. She has worked for the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food as a Dairy Cattle
Specialist. Janet and her husband partnered on a 2000 acre crops farm and a 5000 acre dairy
and beef farm in Zambia. More recently she was employed by Masterfeeds as their Ruminant
Nutritionist. At present she is an Animal Nutritionist with her own company —
J.D. Kleinschmidt Agriculture Consultants
Janet Kleinschmidt will provide the following services at no charge to our clients on a yearly
basis:
a. 8 official farm calls (approx. 6-7 weeks)
b. 3 full ration balances (calves/dry cows/cows)
c. Interpret DHIA and herd health reports
d. Communicate with your veterinarian
e. Available to answer questions by phone, fax or e-mail
This program also includes the services of our Masterfeeds representative, John Hoskin
FARM SERVICES
107 1st Ave., Chesley, Ontario NOG 1L0
519-363-3308 1-800-269-2561
Fax: 519-363-2613
Visit our website at www.blfarm.com
See us at the IPM - Section 3F
AUGUST 2000 35