The Rural Voice, 2005-10, Page 63v
People in Agriculture
Gowland heads new
Canadian Soybean Council
Jim Gowland of Teeswater is the
first chair of the Canadian Soybean
Council (CSC), representing the
Ontario Soybean Growers (OSG), the
Manitoba Pulse Growers Association
(MPGA) and the Federation des
Producteurs de Cultures
Commerciales du Quebec (FPCCQ).
The new entity will initially
collaborate on identifying and
developing new export markets for
Canadian soybeans.
"This Council establishes an
important link for growers across
Canada," says Gowland. "This gives
us the opportunity to work together
to address issues and priorities that
affect all Canadian growers and
stretch grower dollars."
The Council's first initiative is the
establishment of an export committee
to oversee export market
development activities. That
committee consists of representatives
from each of the provinces involved
and the Canadian Soybean Export
Association with advisory
involvement from the Canadian
International Grain Institute (CIGI).
"Export market development is the
first step," says Murray Froebe,
MPGA director. "As
our relationship grows
stronger, we hope to
grow to areas such as
domestic and indus-
trial markets, value-
added opportunities at
the farm -gate level
and new research
initiatives."
The CSC's first collaborative
market development activity will be
an incoming technical course from
Asia, co-ordinated by CIGI.
Delegates will see various aspects of
Canada's soybean industry in
Ontario, Manitoba and Quebec.
"We look forward to seeing our
new relationship grow," adds William
Van Tassel, FPCCQ director. "We
are confident this joint effort will
benefit growers in all provinces
involved."0
Jim
Gowland
Surgeoner honoured by Ontario
Gordon Surgeoner of Fergus,
well-known advocate of the
possibilities of biotechnology for
farmers is one of this year's 29
recipients of the Order of Ontario,
the province's highest and most
prestigious honour.
The Order of Ontario recognizes
and honours those who have enriched
the lives of others by attaining the
highest standards of excellence and
achievement in their respective fields.
This year's honourees bring to 402
the total number of recipients since
1987, when the honour was first
presented.
The recipients were invested in
the Order by the Honourable James
K. Bartleman, Lieutenant Governor
of Ontario in a black tie ceremony at
Queen's Park on Tuesday, September
20.
Surgeoner had previously been
awarded the distinguished teaching
award and extension award at the
University of Guelph and helped
initiate the Food System 2002
program, which has led to more than
50 percent reduction in pesticide use
in Ontario agriculture while
enhancing productivity.0
Moorefield farmer
named to GROWMARK
co-operative board
Evert (Ed) Benjamins of
Moorefield was one of five directors
elected by shareholders of
GROWMARK to the governing
board of the co-operative in Chicago,
August 26.
Benjamins, who was elected for a
three-year term, operates a chicken
farm with his wife Gina. They also
farm 1,200 acres with their son-in-
law and operate a trucking company.
He has been involved in several
co-operative organizations including
the board of the Inland Co-operative
since 2000.0
1 2 -year-old
learns fast, wins
Perth plow title
Shannon Little was just 12
years old and competing in her
second -ever plowing competition at
the Perth County Plowing Match
but that didn't stop her from
walking away with the Grand
Championship at the August 27
event.
"It was really quite a shock to
everyone," Little told John Phair of
the Voice of the Farmer. "I know a
lot of older people were really
blown away... my moan said in the
17 years she's been going to the
match, I'm the youngest to ever
win"
Tanya Terpstra, president of the
Perth County Plowmen's
Association confirmed that Little
was one of the youngest
competitors.
"She won top honours and top
consists of the most points
throughout the day ... She did very
well and received three big awards
including the overall Grand
Champion and that is very difficult
to get. It usually goes to the older
gentlemen who have plowed for
many years."
She received her awards at an
awards banquet held at Mitchell
following the match.
Little entered the competition
for the first time last year, showing
early promise by placing third.
Perhaps she has a good start in
competition by being the daughter
of Don Little, a cashcrop farmer
who is a champion plowman
himself and gave her lessons. He
was also a coach for the Queen of
the Furrow competition at this
year's Perth match.
But it was Shannon's older sister
Sara who has been competing for
several years at the county match
who inspired her to enter.
Will she rest on her laurels or
return next year to defend her title?
"Oh yes, 1 look forward to going
back next year to compete against
the boys," she said.0