The Rural Voice, 1982-10, Page 44THE YOUNG FARMER
Perth Junior Farmers: Celebrating their 60th anniversary
It's been 60 years since Junior Farmers
started in Perth County.
To commemorate the 60th anniversary
of the Perth organization, a book on the
group's history has been published.
The historial book, printed in March of
this year, is entitled Memoirs II and gives
information on the beginnings of Junior
Farmers in Perth. It picks up from where
Memoirs 1, written in 1962, stopped. The
book is filled with names and pictures of
people who have served on the executive
and with people who have been involved
in community betterment projects. It tells
of the accomplishments of the organiza-
tion.
Brian Anderson of RR2, Tavistock, the
1982 Perth Junior Farmers president, said
when the club first started it dealt mainly
with agriculture. Several years ago there
was a turn to developing leadership skills
and now there is a movement to turn the •
organization back to agriculture.
The club started in 1922 as an offshoot
G. 0. K. ENTERPRISES
L.I
ASA t
CUSTOM SILK SCREENING
• T -Shirts
• Caps
• Sportswear
• Trophies
• Crests
• Flags
• Farm Signs
Gordon Kaster
G. D. K. Enterprises
Wroxeter
Bus.
335-3136
Res.
335-3671
PG. 44 THE RURAL VOICE / OCTOBER 1982
of agriculture short courses held as part of
the junior extension program of the
Department of Agriculture. There was a
demand back then to continue friendships
and learning opportunities. Thus, in
several counties as well as in Perth, Junior
Farmers and Junior Institutes were star-
ted.
The Junior Institute didn't become a
county organization until 1936. In 1947 a
new constitution was developed between
the Perth Junior Institute and the
Farmers, allowing for the county execu-
tive to merge.
In 1968, the provincial organizations
banded together to form a co-ed organi-
zation under the title Junior Farmers.
Perth Junior Farmers is made up of five
clubs. Stratford, Listowel, Mitchell, Mil-
verton and North Easthope. In 1922,
individual clubs started in Stratford,
Listowel and Kirkton. (The Kirkton club
later reorganized as the St. Marys club. It
disbanded in 1965 and members joined
PLETCH
ELECTRIC
WINGHAM
•Residential
•Farm
•Industrial
*Commercial
• Motor Rewinding
•Complete Motor Sales
Phone Collect
357-1583
either the Mitchell or Stratford club.)
In 1930 the Shakespeare club was
established and later became the North
Easthope club. Milverton first formed in
1961, disbanded, then reorganized in
1980. Mitchell started in 1935.
Once a club is set up, it has to keep
going. To do so, community betterment
projects are planned each year. Also, to
maintain membership in the provincial
organization, these projects are submit-
ted.
The county club gets an annual grant
from Perth County Council. This year the
amount is $200. The Farmers receive no
funds from the provincial government,
but are assisted in many ways from the
Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food
staff in Stratford. Required money is
made through fund-raising events.
The special annual activities are high-
lights of the Junior Farmer year. The
county banquet is one such event, and at
that time the outstanding Junior Farmer
award is presented. Started in 1973, the
first recipient was the late Margaret
(Keith) Pletsch. Since her death in 1978,
the award has been named in her honor.
The club of the year award is also
presented at the county banquet.
The Spring Fling was started in 1976,
providing an outlet to crown the Miss
Perth County Junior Farmer. Athletic
events are held each year and include a
broomball and hockey tournament.
Trips have long been a part of the
Junior Farmer program, both at the
county and provincial level. Beginning in
1954, and almost every year since,
someone from Perth has visited the
United Nations. There have also been
exchanges to other provinces, to the
United States and to far away places such
as the United Kingdom and Australia.
Soils and crop management tours and
livestock managements tours arranged by
OMAF have provided learning oppor-
tunities for Junior Farmers. There are
also provincial workshops on communi-
cations and social recreation.
Members of the present executive of the
Perth Junior Farmers are: Mr. Anderson,
first vice-president Lynda Denham of
Mitchell, second vice-president Don
Green of Listowel, secretary Vicki Innes
of Stratford, treasurer Paul Bald of
Stratford and provincial director Bruce
Johnston of RR4, Listowel.