The Rural Voice, 1998-06, Page 32The Ontario Pork Congress
celebrates
25 years of leading
the pork industry
By Bonnie Gropp
What began 25 years ago with a vision and a prayer
has become one of the most successful
agricultural shows in Ontario.
The Ontario Pork Congress is celebrating its silver
anniversary June 25-26 at the Stratford Fairgrounds with
many of the same activities on which it has been built and
some festive special events.
Anniversary Chairman Richard Smelski of Shakespeare
has been part of the Pork Congress since the beginning. His
wife, Jean has served as its secretary for most of those
years. He recalls the discussions that inspired pork
producers to host the Congress. "We started off at the
London Western Fair with the barrow show. There was an
idea brought forward that it would be beneficial to the
industry to become more intensive."
"The idea was to stimulate thought," remembers Don
Henry, RR1, Bluevale, a past president and founding
member. "They were interesting times."
As with any new venture, it takes blind faith, a little
luck and a lot of dedication to pull it off. "There was
certainly a risk involved," says Smel ki. "We lost money
those first few years. But it's because�f the faith of those
who took out a bank loan to help cover costs and -the effort
of others volunteering hours to actually make it happen,
that we are where we are today." '
Smelski says that dedication has been integral in not just
28 THE RURAL VOICE
Some things change, some things stay the same at the Pork
Congress. It has always been a place where farmers went
to see the latest equipment (top) but the breeders' shows
(below) have become a victim of herd health concerns.
guaranteeing the Congress's success year after year, b
also helping to build the industry. "Congress is by no
means wealthy," says Smelski. "What it has is tremendous
people resources and mental horsepower. They know how
to get things done. It is an upbeat, positive group who want
action. There is nothing in it for themselves, what they do
is truly for the pork industry."
It was the early pioneers of the Congress, however, that
Smelski gives the greatest credit to. "They had a vision, to
have fun. Sure you would work hard, but you better be
smiling along the way. Those are the people that led the
Congress to where it is today."
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