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The Rural Voice, 1995-09, Page 39executive. The corporate connection is strong with the 1995 match. The region is home to some of the largest food- processing companies the the country including J. M. Schneider Inc., Weston's Bakery, Dare Biscuits and more potato chip manufacturers than anywhere else in the country. These companies are an outgrowth of the agricultural heritage of the area, a heritage that included development of world-wide companies like Shaver's egg -laying hens and Hybrid Turkeys. It was here that the country's first artificial insemination unit was started by dairy farmers and here that Seagram's distillery began. The regionalso claims the origin of the 4-H movement in Ontario, this year marking its 80th anniversary. Today there are 1,600 farms with about 230,000 acres in the region, down from 1,800 farms and 240,000 acres a decade ago. The 1991 farm census showed $257,866,000 in farm sales. The land varies from flat fields of rich clay loam to rolling hills of sand and gravel. Livestock plays a big part in the agriculture of the area with a mix of everything from dairy and beef cattle, swine, chickens, turkeys, horses for farming and for fun, to a smattering of sheep and goats, geese, emus and deer. Unlike other areas of the province there are no vast stretches of single specialities such as cash crops, orchards, greenhouses or vegetable production. In few areas do farmers likely have more direct contact with their customers than in Waterloo, however. From the huge farmers' markets in Kitchener, Waterloo and St. Jacobs to direct farm sales of dried flowers, apple schnitzel, maple syrup and summer sausage on Mennonite farms, more farmers are in the business of boosting sales by retailing their farm products than perhaps anywhere else in Ontario. Mayor of this year's tented city is Floyd Moyer. He and his wife Doreen cash crop the 138 -acre parcel where the tented city will be located as well as other land in the area. In all there are 17 owners of land within the 1,000 -acre site but the major landowners include Fred and Janet Stager, Isobel Wallace and Don and Deanna Cleave.0 Visit HAUGHHOLM BOOKS & I A.J. HAUGH EQUIPMENT At the Intemabonal Plowing Match, September 19-23, 1995, Ayr,Ont • Classic Tractor, Car and Gas Engine Books & Manuals • Decal Sets for Older Tractors and Gas Engines A.J. HAUGH EQUIPMENT AND HAUGHHOLM BOOKS are located one mile east of Brucefield on Huron Cty. Rd. #3 519-522-0138 ELK The livestock of the future For more info call: Toft Hill Farms R.R. #4 Meaford, Ontario N4L 1W7 Ph: (519) 599-5513 Fax: (519) 599-5097 FARMGATES Rugged Dependable Reliable 2 models • 1" square tubing • 1 1/4" square tubing OWEN MARTIN MANUFACTURING Hawkesville, Ontario 519-699-4144 Elmk• ,----{ IT as WINmpin1, • H•wk•w11M � Hwy.06 ( Hwy. 7 Hwy. 401 KIICher1•r w7.74s i .I NO Owe,, Martin M19. 11 FEEDTANKS LIVESTOCK TRAILERS • 1 to 20 tonne for build to spec.) • 14 gauge metal Feed Factories available from 15 Ton to 55 Ton 5th Wheel All Sizes Many Options as Standard Equipment INTRODUCING SUPER -STORE STEEL SILOS • 750 - 3600 Bu. Capacity These Silos are assembled, delivered & set up on site as one complete unit! "NO ON-SITE ASSEMBLY" HYD. DUMP TRAILERS 14 ft. 6 In. BALL HITCH "Choice of Colors E•Z DUMP n>♦ • 5 ton single axle • 10 ton double axle See us at the lot. Plowing Match Sept. 19-23/95 Ayr, Ont. Skilled craftsmanship assures you of a lifetime of trouble-free continuous service. Hwy. 23 North Atwood, Ont. 519-356-2802 SEPTEMBER 1995 35