A Centre Wellington family is among the list of recipients of the 2015 BMO Farm Family Award.
Fraegrove Holsteins, owned and operated by Charles and Mary Fraser and their children Krista and Todd of RR2 Elora, received the award along with farm families across Ontario.
The BMO Ontario Farm Family Awards recognize the outstanding contributions made by farmers across the province. To be nominated each family must exhibit active involvement inside and outside of their respective communities.
After an interview with BMO and Wellington County Plowmen’s Association representatives and a review process by staff at BMO’s head office, 10 farm families from across Ontario were chosen for the award.
The winning families spent a day at the 2015 International Plowing Match held in Finch. Match events, a luncheon, family photograph session and a plaque and farm sign presentation were all part of the day.
At the Wellington County Plowmen’s Association (WPA) banquet in October, the Fraser family displayed its winning plaque and farm sign and told the farm’s story.
“My family would like to thank the Plowmen’s Association and BMO for this award. It was an honour to be nominated and actually win the award. The farm sign will be on display in the barn,” said Krista Fraser on behalf of the family.
In an email to the Wellington Advertiser, WPA secretary/treasurer Carol Day explained, “With the BMO Farm Family award process, I have had the chance to speak in-depth with farm families within Wellington County and ask them about their lives and activities. I have been impressed with the involvement of families I have interviewed.”
Day continued, “While asking their involvement with the community, charities, volunteer activities, hobbies and what they are proud to have accomplished with an eye to the future, I quickly came to a blunt truth. Each member of this family does more for their community than you’d expect.
“You don’t often see that level of work, time and effort from someone who isn’t looking for accolades. Adding the operation of a successful full-time farm makes them remarkable, yet they are as unassuming as their farm appears.”
For information on the BMO Farm Family Award or to nominate a family contact Day at wellingtonplowmen@gmail.com.
