The Rural Voice, 1999-08, Page 70p
FAB-ulous award
Grant Preston of Proton Station
(centre) chair of Grown in Grey
education committee receives the
first FAB Award from the Farm
Advisory Board of CKNX Radio from
Murray Gaunt, CKNX Farm
Director (left) and Ken Furlong,
Durham, a member of the advisory
board. The award recognizes the
contributions an individual or group
from midwestern Ontario to the well-
being of agriculture.°
People
Huron County fast talker wins national
award, takes on the world at Calgary
Belgrave's Tony Chaffe competed
at the Calgary Stampede this year, but
he didn't ride bulls or rope calves.
Chaffe was competing against
Americans, Australians and maybe
even a few from South Africa, for the
international title of top auctioneer.
Earlier his fast words and a classic
style helped Chaffe take top honours at
the Canadian Livestock Auctioneer
championship in Ottawa. A 1992
graduate of the Southwestern School
of Auctioneering in Woodstock,
Chaffe placed first over 21 other
auctioneers from across the country at
the Ottawa competition. Chaffe is
employed by the Ontario Livestock
Exchange Ltd. in Waterloo.
Having grown up on a farm, Chaffe
said he attended livestock auctions
with his grandfather and father for as
long as he can remember.
After competing last year and not
placing as well as he had hoped,
Chaffe got a few pointers from veteran
OATI names new
The Ontario Agricultural Training
Institute (OATI) marked its 10th
Ralph Dietrich wins first Richard
Lichty Award from AALP
Ralph Dietrich of Mildmay was
named first winner of the "Richard
Lichty Memorial Award" at the
graduation of Class 7 of the Advanced
Agriculture Leadership Program in
June.
The memorial award was created in
memory of Richard Lichty, an
outstanding community leader,
graduate of AALP Class 6 and a
hog/beef farmer from Wellesley.
Dietrich was selected by his
classmates as the person who most
exemplified the leadership qualities of
Lichty.
Ralph Dietrich, with his wife
Jayne, are one of the outstanding farm
couples of their region. Ralph has
contributed to the Sacred Heart
Church, Mildmay -Carrick Agricultural
Society, Gay -Lea Foods, Canadian Co-
operative Association, Mildmay -
Carrick Swimming Pool and Minor
Hockey and the Bruce County Agri -
food Education Council. He is a
graduate of the Agriculture Business
Management program at Centralia
College.
Earlier this year Jayne won the
Tommy Cooper Award for her
contributions to agriculture in Grey -
Bruce, an award Ralph had won in
1991, for her work in agri-food
education, including helping found the
Roots of Bruce program.
The Dietrichs operate a dairy farm
near Mildmay and have six children.
The Advanced Agricultural
Leadership Program is an executive
development opportunity for men and
women actively involved in Ontario's
agriculture and food industry.°
auctioneer Don Baffin of B.C.
Told to adjust his clothing style,
keep his hands free of the microphone
and a few other insider tips, Chaffe
reached the top this year.
Held during the Livestock Markets
Association of Canada annual
convention, the contestants entered in
auction championship are judged by
six judges from across the country.
This year only one judge was an
Ontarian, Len Gamble of Brussels
Livestock.
The auctioneers are judged on
rhythm, speed, voice control, clarity,
timing, bid spotting, professionalism
and appearance.
Contestants sold seven drafts in the
first round and 10 in the second.
As the champ, Chaffe won $1,200
cash and prizes valued at over $3,000.
Desmond Plewman of Winnipeg
placed second and Charlie Menard of
Greely, ON. took third.°
executive
anniversary at its annual meeting in
Guelph in June and western Ontario
names were prominent in the
celebrations.
Elaine Ball of Thamesford was
chosen the new chair of OATI. Also
named to the executive were Neil
Dolson of New Hamburg, Barbara
Pinkney of Listowel and Archie
Wilson of Harriston.
Welcomed as one of two new
board members was Doug Eadie of
Ripley, representing the Ontario Corn
Producers' Association.
OATI recognized 15 people as Life
Long Learners, farmers who have
participated in seven or more OATI
courses. Among the recipients were
Henry Hendriks of Brucefield,
Kathryn Holtz of Moorefield, Debbie
Little of Mitchell and William Smith
of Clinton.
OATI also launched Achieveplus,
a division specializing in providing
training and development services to
county federations, commodity
groups, rural agricultural retailers and
agri-businesses.°