The Rural Voice, 2000-03, Page 60People
Matilda and John Nyenhuis (centre) receive the Pork Producers' Association. Richard and Jean Smelski
Producers of the Year award from Vince Hulshof (left) and (above) receive the promotion award from Richard Yantzi,
Richard Yantzi at the annual meeting of the Perth County PCFA president.
Perth Pork Producers make awards
John Nyenhuis, who spent a
particularly busy term as president of
the Perth County Pork Producers
Association during the pork crisis of
1998 and early 1999, and his wife
Matilda, were named producers of the
year at the association's annual
meeting in Atwood, January 26.
In making the presentation, Vince
Hulshof noted John helped organize
the rally at Queen's Park in December
1998 when prices were at their lowest
as well as a crisis information meeting
and a meeting on risk management. He
also helped organize a bus trip to
Quebec to let Ontario farmers learn
more about that province's marketing
system.
"They put the pork producers of
Perth County ahead of themselves,"
Hulshof said of the Nyenhuises who
farm near Sebringville.
Accepting the promotion award
were Richard and Jean Smelski. Jean
has been secretary of the Pork Con-
gress from the beginning and Richard
has served on every committee, said
Richard Yantze, Association president
in presenting the award.
Richard Smelski worked for
OMAFRA for 12 years then with
Purina for 15. In the community he is
active in the Toastmasters Club, curl-
ing and the Shakespeare Optimists
club.
He was a recipient of a Canada 125
award and a Canadian Farm Writers
Award.
"It's about time this association
recognizes all they do," said Yantze.0
Bill Dowson `producer of the year'
6O LA 31%t
111 Ito, .1111f
Bill and Joyce Dowson (centre) receive
their award from Bruce Bergsma (left) and
Paul Klopp.
Bill Dowson, RR1, Varna, was
named producer of the year by
the Huron County Pork Prod-
ucers' Association at its annual
meeting in Varna, January 20.
Dowson and his wife Joyce
received a plaque and a gate sign
honouring their selection.
As well as involvement with the
pork producers and the bean
producers, Dowson is deputy
reeve of Hay Township, serves on
the area fire board and conservation authority, and is active with his church.
"Whenever you have things that need to be done he's there," said Paul Klopp
in announcing the award.
Chosen as retailer of the year was Erb's Meat Market, RR1, Bayfield. Richard
and Mary Erb sell a lot of local pork and other meats, said Klopp and also serve
it when they cater meals (they were caterers for the Varna meeting).0
Brian Ireland
steps down at
Queen's Bush
Brian Ireland of Teeswater is
stepping down at the end of
February from his post as co-
ordinator of the Queen's Bush
Rural Ministries after 12 years of
helping troubled rural families.
David Morris, chair of the
board of directors for Queen's
Bush Rural Ministries said Ireland
will be truly missed. "The combin-
ation of experience, perseverance
and compassion that Brian brought
to this position made him uniquely
able to serve the people of rural
Grey, Bruce and surrounding
counties during the difficult times
experienced over the past decade."
Queen's Bush Rural Ministries
was established in 1986 during the
severe financial crisis of the mid -
eighties caused by a combination
of low prices for most
commodities, particularly beef,
high interest rates and high farm
debt. Set up as a non-profit
corporation within the United
Church of Canada, it is now also
supported by the Anglican,
Lutheran, Mennonite, Presbyterian
and Roman Catholic churches in
Grey and Bruce, as well as many
individual donors, rural businesses
and rural organizations.
Morris said a search is being
conducted for a new co-ordinator.0