Ottawa Valley Seed Growers
Guest Column
The OVSGA Award of Excellence recognizes outstanding achievement in agriculture. First presented earlier this year, this new annual award celebrates those who have gone above and beyond for agriculture and their community as nominated by the local Soil and Crop Improvement Association.
The Ottawa Valley Seed Growers Association is thrilled to recognize the late Stan Vanden Bosch as the 2023 recipient. Stan and family moved to the Chesterville area in 1965. Shortly after, the dairy herd was sold, and the focus shifted to crops. Over the last 50-plus years both the land base and an elevator business expanded and flourished. The family business continues today with wife Betty active in the office and community, son Brent and grandson Sawyer managing over 1,800 acres, and son Greg managing the elevator, supporting hundreds of growers with marketing, drying and storage of corn, soybeans, wheat and barley.
Betty Vanden Bosch (3rd from left) and her grandson, Sawyer (4th from left) receive the honours on behalf of the late Stan Vanden Bosch. They pose with Ottawa Valley Seed Growers Association representatives and Ontario Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Minister Lisa Thompson.
The Vanden Bosch farm is well known and respected for innovation. Early in his farming career, Stan purchased a tile drainage machine and began tile draining installation. He was a firm believer that “tile drainage doesn’t cost, it pays” and drained several hundreds of acres, eventually selling the successful tile drainage business.
Windbreaks border some fields and soil conservation through no-till seeding of wheat and soybeans is practiced. Computer technology has been introduced and expanded on the farm. The Vanden Bosch family has always been a strong supporter of on-farm research trials with the local Soil and Crop Improvement Association and variety trials with seed companies.
Together with his wife Betty, Stan was an active longtime volunteer member of the Chesterville Rotary Club, working on projects for a variety of local causes. Stan served terms as president and treasurer, and twice received the Paul Harris Award, the highest award presented to Rotarians.
Stan served on the Winchester District Memorial Hospital board of directors for many years, supporting and campaigning for “Renewing the Vision” in 2002, and helping exceed the fundraising goal through 2009.
Stan, with the help and support of Betty and the family, has been recognized for contributions for decades including:
- 1977 Angus Smith Memorial Award recognizing outstanding work for the Chesterville Fair
- 1978 Eric Casselmen Award for the Dundas County Farmer of the Year
- 1985 Award of Merit, Eastern Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association
- 1987 Outstanding Grassland Farmer Award from the American Forage and Grassland Council
- 1988 Centennial Award for outstanding service to the agriculture and food industry
- 2003 Farmer of the Year Award from Dundas County Federation of Agriculture
- 2012 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Medals
- 2014 North Dundas Community Builder Award for contribution to greatly improving the quality of life in the municipality
- 2019 Innovative Farmer Award from the Dundas Soil and Crop Improvement Association
“Dundas County is better today because of the positivity, the leadership and the determination of Stan Vanden Bosch” says Stormont-Dundas-South Glengarry MP Eric Duncan. “Stan was a good man with an even better heart. He has left a tremendous legacy of success and kindness in our community.”
Congratulations to the entire Vanden Bosch family as we celebrate the achievements of Stan Vanden Bosch.
For more information visit ottawafarmshow.com
