HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen Agriculture, 2003-03-19, Page 41PAGE A-16. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19, 2003.
having studied
of the industry
post-secondary al McDonald's, your local building centre
success
Winning history
Kim Higgins leafs through a book recording many of her
victories in the ring, showing livestock as a member of 4-H
and at the Royal Winter Fair. (Bonnie Gropp photo)
Brussels-area woman
knows way around ring
By Bonnie Gropp
Citizen editor
Kim Higgins knows her way
around a ring.
From 4-H member to 4-H leader to
Royal winner, this RR5, Brussels
woman is almost as busy showing
animals or teaching others to show
them as she is farming.
With both Kim and her husband
growing up on farms, she near St.
Helens, Bruce just down the road
from their present residence, the
love she has had for the country life
and all its interests has remained
deep-rooted.
A daughter of Lee and Lila
Rintoul, Kim was involved in 4-H
from an early age, completing 24
clubs. As a club member she
attended the Royal Winter Fair in
Toronto and from the beginning
showed confidence and potential. At
the age of 16 she had the notable
achievement of receiving the
Queen’s Guineas honour at the
Royal in 1985.
With adulthood upon her Kim
turned her talent to grooming others
to be winners, and for the past
several years has been one of the
Continued on A-17
Hugh said there’s some luck in
choosing the right ram that will click
with a ewe. However, Keith quickly
adds that his dad has a knack for
spotting good animals. “He knows
what will work with the bloodline.”
“Even if it doesn’t work in the first
generation, it always shows up in the
second,” adds JoAnn.
A good environment, proper feed
and management techniques are also
high on the Todds’ list of reasons for
success. “You have to look after
them to have them reach their
potential,” said Keith. His expertise
has brought a new dimension to the
Todd equation,
various aspects
through his
education.
Their involvement in other aspects
of the sheep industry has been
maintain throughout the years as
well. JoAnn was the first woman on
the Royal Sheep Show committee,
earning the seat in the early 1980s.
She was the treasurer of the
Southdown Club in 1984 and when
Hugh took over that job, JoAnn
moved on to the Royal Junior Sheep
Show, completely revamping the
event. She is now the announcer for
all sheep shows at the Royal.
Hugh is a past-president of the
sheep committee and Keith is the
vice-chair of the junior sheep
committee. Both have also judged at
numerous competitions.
Though no longer directly
involved in the raising and showing
of sheep, daughter Janeen still
attends the Royal with her family
and lends a hand where needed.
The family lives sheep. JoAnn
collects souvenirs of the animals and
Keith admits that vacations usually
involve attending sheep shows. This
immersion in the sheep world has
reaped many benefits, not only
bringing them a reputation for
Huron Farmers Working Together
success, but creating a second
family for them. “It’s a whole other
family we have gotten to know
through the shows.
“It’s a good way to raise a family,”
said JoAnn. “Everyone was involved
and appreciated their lifestyle after
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they went off to college.”
“Everything I do is related to
farming,” said Keith “I dedicate
more to farming as it grows.”
So while for many, raising
livestock is just a business, for the
Todds, it is their lifestyle.
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Box 298
Brussels, Ontario
NOG 1 HO
Telephone: (519) 887*9922
Fax: (519) 887-6685
Your OFA membership supports the Huron County Federation
of Agriculture to inform and lobby the various levels
of government on the issues affecting you
Municipal - official plans and bylaws
Provincial - Regulations such as Bill 81 and securing Healthy Futures Funding
Federal ~ Safety Net Funding of the Ag Policy Framework
Our other activities promote agriculture to the general public
and provide learning opportunities for the farm community
Our strength is our structure with representation from all areas of the County
and from the various commodity organizations
For more information contact our office
482-9642 or 1-800-511-1135
check out our new website at www.hcfa.on.ca