Top 10 Ontario BMO Family Farm Awards Announced

2012 International Plowing Match to Recognize Farm Families

By Graham Dyer, Farms.com

The Bank of Montreal in partnership with the Ontario Plowman’s Association announced today, the top 10 winners for the new BMO Family Farm Award. The award is similar to the BMO Family Farm Awards handed out to Alberta Families at the Calgary Stampede.

“BMO is proud to honour these families," said Susan Brown, Senior Vice-President, Ontario Regional Division, BMO Bank of Montreal. "The BMO Farm Family Awards are dedicated to recognizing the tremendous contributions made by farmers across the province, and these 10 families wonderfully demonstrate how the ideals and traditions of the past are combined with today's advanced agri-business practices."

The families were nominated by their local associations, who were tasked with choosing a family who best represented the value of Ontario farm families and the contributions that they have made to their communities.  The top 10 families will be recognized at their local branch association and will also be recognized at the International Plowing Match and Rural Expo being held in Roseville, ON September 22.

"Ontario's farm families are significant contributors to their community and to the province in so many ways," said Cathy Lasby, Executive Director, Ontario Plowmen's Association. "They uphold the traditions of the past while strengthening Ontario's economic growth and it is truly an honour to recognize them."

Each family will enjoy a day at the IPM which will include lunch and a family photograph session. BMO has been a sponsor of the IPM since 2007 and the Family Farm Awards is a part of their ongoing commitment to agriculture.

The Ontario BMO Farm Family Award Recipients are:

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        Farm Name                  Family                     Area

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      Shirlmar Farms          The Comley Family        Hamilton Wentworth

                                                            (South)

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  Young Farms, Les Young      The Young Family            Bruce County

        Farms Ltd.

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   Snyder's Sweet Corn        The Snyder Family    Haldimand County (Oneida)

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    Dodds Family Farm         The Dodds Family            Huron County

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   Spruce Briar Jerseys      The Bromley Family          Renfrew County

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     Almet Farms Ltd.        The Metcalf Family          Durham Region

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   Millhurst Farms Inc.      The Millman Family           Elgin County

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    D-Line Farms Ltd.         The Bryson Family          Lambton County

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  Paynebranch Farms Ltd.     The te Plate Family        Stormont County

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      Hagenlea Beef         The Brodhagen Family             Perth

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