2023 Dundas Seed and Forage Show draws large crowd

by Brandon Mayer

A change of location didn’t hinder the excitement at this year’s Dundas Seed and Forage Show on March 10. The annual show is hosted by the Dundas Soil and Crop Improvement Association. It normally takes place at Matilda Hall in Dixon’s Corners, but this year it took place at the Legion branch in Chesterville due to renovations at the Dixon’s Corners hall.

Adrian Lee explained how the Show works. “The top two winners of every class [of seed] that was entered go on to the Ottawa show,” he told the Times. It is typical for rural communities to hold a seed and forage show annually, but the Dundas show is special because it is run as an event with other exciting happenings as well.

There were 33 exhibitors at this year’s show, including businesses such as fertilizer companies, chemical companies, and barn painting businesses. After a Thursday set up, the show took place on Friday, March 10 from 10 am-4 pm, complete with the showcasing of the various seeds brought in, as well as a “farm show” with various farm equipment on display.

The Agri program at North Dundas District High School sent a busload of students to the show. Adrian explained that it was a great opportunity for grade 11 and 12 students to explore the options for employment in the agriculture industry, which is especially important because of the current labour shortage that is affecting many industries.

One highlight of the show was an award presented posthumously to the late Stan Vanden Bosch, who was a dedicated Chesterville farmer. The brand new “Award of Excellence” was presented to Stan’s family, and was also presented separately at the opening ceremonies for the corresponding Ottawa show – a great way to honour the memory of a great local farmer.

Overall, 118 seed samples were judged, not to mention four apple pies which were entered and judged for the pie baking contest. There is also a baking competition that happens during the show, and various awards that are presented. The Show has decades of history behind it, and Adrian explained that while some farming communities only have a basic seed judging component, Dundas is lucky to have the “farm show” aspect as well.

Adrian estimates that this year’s show had “easily about 150 people through the door”, meaning it was a great success. “It was a good turn out, and everybody was very pleased with how the day went.”