About 100 members and guests attended the Ontario Horticulture Association District 7 annual general meeting hosted by the Fergus Agricultural Society on April 22 at Melville United Church in Fergus.
District director Jane McDonald welcomed all, along with Fergus society president Kathy Bouma, who was excited to celebrate Canada’s 150th birthday and the Fergus society’s 160th anniversary.
Centre Wellington Mayor Kelly Linton expressed appreciation for the great work of the society to beautify Fergus and said he looks forward to seeing the red and white tulips blooming by the library.
Frances Bouma placed miniature red and white carnations in a vase as Jane McDonald read the names of the members who had passed in 2016.
Christine Marsh from District 13 shared a Seedy Story from OHA president Suzanne Hanna that challenged people to dare to risk and not be swallowed by life.
Everyone was urged to get involved with Garden Ontario Week, follow the pollinator initiative, think of becoming the group’s web administrator, and be patient for the changes to the website.
McDonald wants to hear any concerns from any of the 1,632 members throughout her district and looks forward to adopting a new District 7 logo. She said she was pleased to look after the youth competition at the 2016 conventions and hopes to see many in Richmond Hill for this year’s convention.
Marsh installed the new executive. Jane McDonald remains District 7 director with Kathy Bouma as assistant director and treasurer, secretary Frances Bouma with directors Dorelene Anderson, Mildred Francis, Jean Gordon, Jean Phillips, Laurel Strachan, and Vic Palmer.
Karen Dowler was thanked for her five years on the board and presented with an orchid.
Guest speaker Edith George is a bona fide tree hugger and protector of trees, tracking down the necessary information to classify a tree as a heritage tree. She shared a true story of a tree well loved and cared for with its roots intertwined in Canadian history. She found it heartbreaking to encounter a once majestic and proud tree that through years of neglect and the ravages of time needed to be dismantled branch by branch. Potential trees need to be evaluated with their heritage status documented and proven to be preserved, she explained.
Judge Lucy Kalyniak of Durham chose Dorelene Anderson’s floral display as Judge’s Choice. She would like everyone who shows flowers to consult Publication 34 for the rules.
Jean Gordon announced that 16 people had won prizes in the show with Clara Bauman earning the most points in the horticulture section.
As supplies contact, Don Matthews mentioned the arrival of new postcards and bookmarks that could be used to promote the various societies.
Guest speaker Lee Eccles of Mount Forest provided a presentation on honey bees. Honey bees are well known for their honey and wax, but pollen, propolis, royal jelly and bee venom are being studied for their medicinal properties.
Honey bees forage for food up to five miles away, as compared to bumblebees who prefer to stay close in one area. Many bees die from malnutrition finding a lack of protein in various plants, but the Asian mite is its worst enemy. Usage of seed treatments covered with pesticides affected the life of the bee population. Researching and implanting resistance strategies and creating sustainable environments will renew honey bees to healthy numbers.
Eccles encouraged everyone to look over the pamphlet Creating a Bee-Friendly Garden. Eccles’ family business is involved in growing queen bees.
The next District 7 meeting will be on Oct. 28, hosted by the Erin and Hillsburgh Societies in Ballinafad.
