News

Cathy Stockdale ’91 grad receives 4-H Ontario’s most Distinguished Volunteer Award

Cathy and Joe
Cathy and her daughter Rebecca at a 4-H judging clinic.

Three recipients from Ontario were chosen in 2022 to receive the 4-H Ontario Arbor Award. Cathy has spent 30 years volunteering.

Even though her own children, some of who also attended Kemptville programs, are no longer participating in 4-H programs, she continues to lead because of how rewarding it is.  She feels life skills are not taught as much these days and 4-H has picked them up.

4-H volunteers must have shown significant leadership, initiative and made a positive impact on 4-H at various levels.

“You don’t know your self-worth until you hear it from someone else’s mouth. I am very blessed.”

Cathy

One of the 2021 winners, Joe Krol an ’80 grad will also be presented with the same award this weekend since the pandemic prevented presentations last year. Stay tuned for a presentation picture of Cathy and Joe. We have wonderful Kemptville grads!


Our Webmaster

Isaac, our webmaster, has just returned home from his birthday snowmobiling adventure in Golden British Columbia. 

Golden BC
Isaac snowmobiling in the mountains of BC

The Kemptville College Alumni is pleased to have Isaac optimize our website. This is our way of letting the Kemptville College grads know what is happening. Isaac has started his own business SEO North. We wanted to let people know about the business in case anyone needs help with having their website rank higher in Google Search.


Plowing Match: Important Info Required

During the North Grenville International Plowing Match a day is being designated as Kemptville College Alumni Day.

All is very much in the planning stage. 

One idea is to hold a reception at WBG Centre at the end of the day or during the afternoon. We are looking for volunteers to help out.

We would like to hear from you. Please email Gordon French at ffrench100@sympatico.ca  with your thoughts and ideas about the reception and the Kemptville College Alumni Day by Valentine’s Day.


Ken Knox Appointed to the Order of Canada

Her Excellency the Right  Honourable Mary Simon, Governor-General of Canada, has announced 135 appointments to the Order of Canada. The Order of Canada is one of the country’s highest civilian honours.  Created in 1967, The Order of Canada recognizes outstanding achievement, dedication to the community, and service to the nation. The new appointees include 2 Companions, 39 Officers, 1 Honourary Member, and 93 Members. 

Ken Knox, a ‘67 Kemptville Agricultural College grad was made a Member for fostering a culture of innovation that influences the Ontario Public Sector over the past few decades – notably in the agricultural sector. Congratulations Ken!


Ottawa Valley Seed Growers

Kemptville College Alumni – Ottawa Valley Farm Show

These three long-standing traditions have one item in common! That one common feature is the Hudson family from Panmure Farms in Kinburn ON. The Hudson family has been active in the Ottawa Valley Seed Growers Association for many years. Graham led the OVSGA as President in 1976 & 1977. Graham also cares for the trophies that are polished and handed out each year at the Ottawa Valley Farm Show seed show. Graham, who graduated from Kemptville in 1954, along with Jim Arbuckle, a ‘63 grad, established the charity seed auction in 1992. This auction has raised more than $186,000 for the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario.

Panmure Farms is owned and operated by 6th generation Hudsons. Bruce and Brian grew up working with their parents Graham and Kay. At a young age, they realized that selling sweet corn meant pocket money.Brian is an ‘83 Kemptville grad and also a director of the OVSGA. He is actively involved in the duties of the seed show. Bruce, who graduated from Guelph, has been OVSGA president in 2012 &2013.

Hudson’s Farm Fresh Produce is now run by Bruce & Liz and Brian & Lynn. Their sweet corn is available in season. As well they have potatoes, yellow and green beans, cucumbers, zucchini, beets, onions, squash and pumpkins.

With Kemptville grads involved at the OVSGA and the Ottawa Valley Farm Show, it was a natural move for the Kemptville College Alumni to want to be present as well. Each year, for many years, the Kemptville College Alumni has been invited to have a meeting place at the Farm Show. The Ottawa Valley Farm Show takes place from March 15th, 2022 to March 17th, 2022 at the EY Center. The Kemptville College Alumni invite all grads to visit together on March 16th, 2022 at 9: 30 am in Hall B.

This is a chance to support the OVSGA, Ottawa Valley Farm Show, and Kemptville College Alumni. You may even get a chance to visit and have coffee with one of the Hudson family.

Left to right Brian, Graham and Bruce Hudson
Left to right Brian, Graham and Bruce Hudson