Ottawa Valley Seed Growers
Guest Column
Seed shows have been a tradition in the Ottawa Valley since 1927. And they are a tradition as well for the Hudson Family at Panmure Farms of Kinburn.
It is not clear in the archives when Graham Hudson rst joined the Ottawa Valley Seed Growers Association but over the years, he and his family’s impact has been tremendous. Graham led the OVSGA organization as president in 1976 and 1977, the 50th Anniversary year.
To this day, one can find Graham presiding over the vast array of trophies for the Ottawa Valley championship seed, feed and forage show. Cared for by the Hudson family, Graham takes immense pride in gathering and polishing the trophies each spring and making any needed repairs. He ensures each trophy is updated and delivered in time for the annual seed show awards.
In addition to being part of the seed show organizing team, Panmure Farms is a perennial seed show exhibitor. You will find the Hudson name repeatedly on many of the seed show awards including the Nation Valley Potato Growers’ Association trophy for the champion exhibit of potatoes, C&M Seeds trophy for the grand champion wheat exhibit, Barclay Dick Challenge trophy for the best entry of red clover and EH Wallace memorial trophy for the champion soybean exhibit.
The Ottawa Valley championship seed, feed and forage show is the seed growers’ foundational event. Now in their 95th year, valley seed shows continue as strong as ever. Winning entries from eight local seed shows throughout the valley compete in the championship show.
“Some of our earliest memories are of gathering seed samples with dad and heading o together to set up the seed show” say Bruce and Brian, Graham’s sons. It is a heartwarming sight for fellow volunteers to see the three of them arrive together on judging day.
Graham, together with colleague director and past president Jim Arbuckle, established the charity seed auction in 1992. This prestigious pedigreed seed auction is held annually at the Ottawa Valley Farm Show and has raised more $186,000 for the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario. Behind the scenes, there are always many directors making things happen, and Brian Hudson is one of those key people. With his history and the active role with entries, organization, set-up and take- down, he is our go-to man for all things seed show. He is a quiet fellow, letting his actions speak for him. Although that wit and sense of humour sneaks out at the best of times!
Following Graham’s example, Bruce was the OVSGA president in 2012 and 2013. Those were exciting years as the organization managed the move of the Ottawa Valley Farm Show from its Lansdowne Park home of more than ve decades, to the EY Centre near the Ottawa airport.
Bruce has also been heavily involved in working with the seed growers to develop guidelines and criteria for the OVSGA’s support of Eastern Ontario seed research initiatives.
When asked why he has been so involved, “the farm show and the seed show are put on by farmers for farmers” says Bruce. “That’s important to our family.”
All of the Hudsons are quick to note that only when members and volunteers work as a team will an organization suc- ceed. OVSGA has become the dream of its original founders and its continued success is a result of the dedication and hard work of people like Graham, Brian and Bruce Hudson.
