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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Lucknow Sentinel, 2015-12-30, Page 3Faces of Farming -featured Wanda Snobelen sustainably raises crops, cattle CONTINUED > PAGE 2 The third -generation to be raised on her family's Ripley - area beef farm, Wanda took her first foray into raising beef cattle as part of a 4-H beef club project Now she helps harvest nearly 5,000 acres of farmland -- and raises 120 Charolais cattle of her own - on her husband's family farm in Ripley. She is also the new face for March in Farm & Food Care Ontario's 2016 Faces of Farming Calender "We moved to Ripley in 2000. My in-laws had a business in Tiverton that I worked at for a few years, but [my husband] Sam and I have farmed full-time ever since;" said Wanda "WhenI moved, the beef cattle came with me:' The farm where Wanda cur- rently lives and works is actually part of a wider farm business ownedbyhei; her husband Sam and his family. On their 5,000 acres, Sam and Wanda plant com, soybeans, wheat, hay and barely, with a small percentage being used as pasture for Wan- da's cattle. While she primarily looks after the beef side of the business, Sam is primarily involved in crops. Of course, both Wanda and Sam help each other with their respective tasks when the need arises. What com the farm produces, said Sam, is sold directly as a cash crop, but the bulk of their acres are used to produce wheat and soybeans for Snobelen Farms. The seed dealership is actually another side of the Sno- belen family business originally started by Sam's father, Mike. The dealership is currently run by his brother Troy, as are sev- eral local grain elevators. Sam and Wanda say they have no immediate plans to expand the farm right now, but instead says that he and Wanda are quite focused on "producing more in a better way" with the landtheyhave. Following that focus, Sam said their farm was one of sixini- tial Canadian farms to meet "Round Table Responsible Soy" qualifications lastyeat According to its official web- site, Round Table Responsible Soy is a worldwide standard designed to promote "environ- mentally correct, socially appro- priate and economicallyfeasible soyproduction:' "It's essentially sustainability audit for your farm that allows us to access export markets in a number of different countries," said Sam. "Everythingfromyour fuel consumption and chemical storage to making sure you're treating employees well is looked at... it's supposed to ensure you're farm is workingin a sustainable way and looks to see if you'll be able to produce crops the same way 20 years from now: As for the animals, the male and female cattle raised by Wanda are marketed as breed- ing stock or herd replacements, though some bi ills are also mar- ketedto cow -calf beef farmers as well. Wanda enjoys spending as much time with her cattle as possible, but says her favourite day of the year is when the first calfisbominthewintea Consid- ering how much of a 1 t,1LDEI.!u.I- e,,~I z,24 .031. MOVIE INFORMATION— 1/4 ' WWW,rrlovieF%nks.Ca i -w' ,.LL tp84Q.-265.3438 commitment a 120 head cattle herd canbe, though, it's perhaps not surprising that Wandas sec- ond favourite day of the year is in the spring when the cattle can once again go out to pasture; at that point, says Wanda, she gets "a bit ofabreak' Like beef cattle, 4-H also con- tinues to be part of Wandas life, at least somewhat indirectly. In an effort to help current mem- bers of the organization, she happily provides space on her farm and personal expertise in the training of their calves. Her assistance helps them prepare for show competitions, or just improve their relationship with the animals. "We try to help them all the way along. The last few years all the kids we worked with got to show their cattle at the Royal WinterFaiii' said Wanda Both Wanda and Sam saythe main reason behind many of their business decisions really comes down to their love of agriculture. "It's amazing because you get to do something different every day," said Wanda. "I love my cows and I love my farm. I really have the bestjob going:' The "Faces of Fanning" cal- endar is designed to introduce the public to a few of Ontario's passionate and hardworking farmers - the people who pro- duce food inthis province. For more information visit wwwfarmfoodcare.org. nwmo NUCLEAR WASTE MANAGEMENT ORGANIZATION Wednesday, December 30, 2015 Lucknow Sentinel 3 'Hawks' Nest' business plan competition participant deadline extended The Saugeen Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) and Bruce Com- munity Futures Develop- ment Corporation (Bruce CFDC) has announced an extension of the Hawks' Nest submission deadline to March 11, 2016. The Hawks' Nest, a 'Drag- ons' Den' inspired compe- tition where entrepreneurs from various sectors will pitch their business ideas in an attempt to secure finan- cial support from local angel investors coined the "Hawks," is looking for local competitors. New and/or existing businesses/entrepreneurs are encouraged to make a submission to the Hawks' Nest by submitting an application and business plan by March 1 lth, 2016. Prior to the deadline, appli- cants are encouraged to attend a free business plan training session to assist in developing or revising cur- rent business plans. The final three Business Plan Training Sessions will be held in February of 2016: • Wednesday, Feb. 3 at Walkerton Golf and Curling Club from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. • Friday, Feb. 5 at Kincar- dine Lake Huron Learning Centre from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. • Tuesday, Feb. 9 at Owen Sound Days Inn from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. After submissions have been received, seven final- ists will be selected to 'pitch' their new business idea to the Hawks! With a minimum of $25,000 to be invested at the Hawks' dis- cretion, plus the People's Choice award, the event on June 21st to be held in Kin- cardine promises to be very exciting! If you are a new or exist- ing entrepreneur who wants to pitch your busi- ness idea in an attempt to secure financial support from local investors, this is your opportunity! For more information or to sign up for a free busi- ness plan training session please contact SEDC toll- free at 1-877-335-7332 / www.sbdc.ca or Bruce CFDC toll-free at 1-888- 832-2232 / www.bruce. on.ca Nominees sought for annual Woman of Distinction Award Women's House Serving Bruce and Greyis seekingnom- inations for its annual Woman of Distinction award. The women's shelter and second -stage housing organi- zation will be hosting the annual International Woman's Day celebration on March 8, 2016 at the Lakeshore Recrea- tion Centre in Port Elgin, where the award will be presented, with a special guest speaker for the evening. "Over the years, there have SOCIETE DE GESTION DES DECHETS NUCLEAIRES been some phenomenal women nominated; said com- munity and fund development coordinator Tiffany Love. "It's a beautifully heart-warming experience to receive those nominations and to celebrate those women for how they have touched the world. Please, if you know a woman of distinc- tion, take the time to nominate her. There's ample time still to gather the information and put together a strong application:' Nominators NWMO Learn More Centre The Township of Huron -Kinloss is one of nine communities involved in a process of learning about Adaptive Phased Management (APM), Canada's plan for the safe, long-term management of used nuclear fuel. The Nuclear Waste Management Organization is working collaboratively with the community to advance preliminary assessment studies. Learn about APM, meet NWMO staff, ask questions and offer your thoughts. Drop in to the NWMO community office and Learn More Centre in Ripley. Everyone is welcome. are encouraged to submit a 250-500 word biography explaining why this person should be recognized as a Woman of Distinction. We have established the following criteria that will guide us in making our final decision: Criteria: • Provides inspira- tion and motivation to others. • Recognized as a positive role model through example, mentoring and education, • Consistently displays leader- ship qualities, NWMO Learn More Centre (Huron -Kinloss) 80 Huron Street, Ripley ON 519.386.6711 Wednesday Thursday Friday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.