Jack Elliott
The highlight of the Rainy River Federation of Agriculture’s annual spring dinner and dance, held Friday night in Stratton, was the presentation of the Bill Gibson Award.
The recipients honoured this year were Trish and Colin Neilson.
Named in memory of Gibson, a past president of the RRFA, this annual award recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the agricultural community in Rainy River District through their volunteer efforts.
Trish Neilson is well-known across the district, and indeed across Ontario, from her time at the helm of the Rainy River Future Development Corp. during its earlier years and more recently in a stint as president of the RRFA.
Her husband, Colin, a native of the area, was the original manager of a program called CropChek North, which has since morphed into the Emo Agricultural Research Station.
The couple and their family currently run a farming and forestry operation north of Stratton.
The roughly 70 people on hand for the dinner included local MPP Howard Hampton and local MP John Rafferty.
A humourous quiz show spoof, “Politicians vs. Farmers,” was moderated by Rick Neilson. Although crowd support appeared to favour the farmers, there was no denying Hampton, particularly, was in top form with his rendition of a partridge drumming.
His left wing (“the only one that works,” according to Hampton) provided most of the effort.
Hampton also quipped he was the most effective in reducing his “carbon footprint” by giving the same speech over and over.
Dick Trivers, the district’s lead for the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs on Environmental Farm Plans, hinted there soon would be a major announcement in that area pending completion of funding agreements between the two senior levels of government.
More news is expected in early June.
Numerous door prizes thrilled the guests, with the added feature of a fundraiser for “a Kidney for Sidney,” which raised several hundred dollars in support of a kidney transplant for the Gillon family’s daughter.
This continues a tradition the RRFA has of supporting worthy community causes.
The dinner itself was, of course, exceptional. Entertainment following the meal was provided by area band “Highway 621.”
The RRFA has been a driving force in the district’s agricultural community for more than 35 years.
