WOODSTOCK — Bruce Witmer, 87, of Speedside Holsteins at Woodstock, will be receiving a Holstein Canada certificate of recognition later this year. It’s an honour so rare it has been awarded just three times in Holstein Canada history. Witmer has been involved with Holstein groups almost all of his life and was a 4-H leader for more than 56 years.
At age 19, Witmer was a 4-H judge sent to England to judge an international competition. He went to Buckingham Palace for tea with Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, the wife of then-king George VI.
“She was just the same as the rest of us,” he recalled, saying they talked about the cakes served with tea.
He told Farmers Forum that it’s important for farmers to try new things and has always encouraged new ideas and projects. Witmer was one of the first to join the 4-H club in Waterloo County when he was 13 years old. He was a founder of the Ontario Holstein junior shows about 16 years ago.
“I had a very enjoyable life helping people,” he said.
