The Rural Voice, 2006-06, Page 43News in Agriculture
Pork Congress adds fundraising events
Over. the years, the Ontario Pork
Congress has become recognized as a
celebration of the pork industry
including its producers and
stakeholders. With this year's 33rd
annual edition and its theme "New
Challenges/New Opportunities",
organizers are working to broaden
the Pork ' Congress's appeal,
including 'Pork Week in Stratford' as
part of the festivities.
A key addition to this year's
showcase is "The Hog Jog", a five
and 10 kilometre community fun run,
organized by the Ontario Pork
Industry Council, and open to
everyone in Stratford and
surrounding area. The, run is being
held on the first day of the Pork
Congress, which runs on Wednesday,
June 21 and Thursday, June 22 at the
Stratford Fairgrounds.
Bruce Winkler, a member of the
Pork Congress executive, welcomes
this as a vital step in widening the
focus of this annual event.
"Obviously the Ontario Pork
Congress is a huge benefit to
Stratford and area but we wanted to
offer something different, this year,"
says Winkler. "Bridging the gap
between farmer and consumer has
become a greater focus in the agri-
food industry, and 'The Hog Jog'
will help spread that message."
Sponsorship funds are coming from
the Pork Congress, Ontario Pork and
PIC Canada, a swine breeding
company. Proceeds from this
inaugural "Hog Jog" will go to the
Parkinson's Society of Canada, with
a different charitable cause each year.
Richard Hiscocks, a long-time
contributor to the pork industry and
Parkinson's sufferer, will be
Honourary Chair for the 2006 event.
For details or registration forms, go
to the Ontario Pork Industry
Congress website at www.opic.on.ca.
The move to welcome greater
diversity with more events at the
Pork Congress coincides with the
start of construction on Stratford's
new multipurpose community centre.
While the process begins to the north
of the existing complex, traditional
favourites associated with the
Ontario Pork Congress will remain
unchanged. The Junior Barrow
Competition, the Innovations
Competition, the Arts & Crafts
Display, the Gold Event and Kick-off
Gala are back as Congress standards,
along with the BX -93 Video Dance
to close festivities, Saturday, June 24.
Each year, the Ontario Pork
Congress celebrates the vital
contribution made by its 4,000
producers and industry stakeholders.
including an estimated $4.8 billion in
direct sales and indirect economic
impacts and 35,000 jobs and provides
a timely forum for all facets of the
industry — from producers to
retailers, packers to consumers: a
unique opportunity to learn. share
and reflect on all that Ontario pork
production has to offer.0
The
Ontario Federation
of Agriculture
is
Proud to salute
Ontario's Pork Industry
and encourages everyone
to visit the
OFA display at the
2006 Ontario Pork Congress
in Stratford, June 21st and 22nd
Agriculture is
Ontario's second largest
industry and OFA is
pleased to work with
all farmers to continue the growth!
Contact OFA at 1-800-668-3276
or www.ofa.on.ca
JUNE 2006 39