Teeple honoured

One of the highlights of the Rainy River Federation of Agriculture’s spring dinner always has been the presentation of the Bill Gibson Memorial Award in honour of a member who has made an outstanding contribution to agriculture.
The selection committee consists of all previous winners of the award and even though that group is getting quite large, the identity of the newly-selected recipient is always a closely-guarded secret.
This year was no exception.
“He grew up as an active 4-H member and still helps the youngsters in the 4-H barn at the [Emo] fair,” presenter Kim Jo Bliss said in introducing the mystery recipient.
“He has been a director on the Rainy River Valley Agricultural Society, a director on the board of RRFA,” Bliss noted. “He is currently serving as a director on the abattoir committee.
“And not only is he manager of the Stratton sales barns, he puts in many hours of volunteer work there, as well.
“It gives me great pleasure to present the Bill Gibson Award to Clayton Teeple,” Bliss announced.
“I was standing in the coffee lineup. I couldn’t hear what was being said on the stage,” said Teeple. “I was talking to Dennis Brown about the sales barns, and then I started wondering why everyone was looking at me.
“It was a complete surprise. It’s a real honour,” he added.
At 29, Teeple is tied with Bliss as the youngest person to ever receive this prestigious award.