The Wellington Junior Farmers are hosting their sixth annual spaghetti dinner on April 14.
The event is a fundraiser for both the Palmerston and Drayton food banks. All financial proceeds and any collected non-perishable food donations will go directly to support these two organizations.
The spaghetti dinner will take place at the Drayton Agricultural Hall from 5 to 7pm.
Admission is $8 per person and non-perishable food donations are also appreciated. For children under 10 years of age, tickets are $4.
For more information contact Jen VanDermeulen at 519-638-0378 or email wellington jf@jfao.on.ca.
This year the Wellington Junior Farmers are focused on recruiting new members. Junior Farmers includes young people between the ages of 15 and 29. Many members of the local club joined when the club re-formed in 2008, so those members are approaching retirement in a couple of years.
“We would like to see the club continue on and see some new, young keen members take over,” states VanDermeulen.
“We are here to guide them over the next couple of years so they know what to do, and how they can be actively involved in their community, in their club and at a provincial level.”
VanDermeulen noted she has taken part in many opportunities provided by Junior Farmers, including leadership camps and conferences and an exchange to Ireland in 2009. She has also competed in several provincial events such as winter games, sing swing and autumn profile, which includes farmers’ olympics.
“I would like to share those experiences with the next group of members. I have met so many people from across the province, and it is a great networking opportunity for now and the future,” states VanDermeulen.
The Junior Farmers also participate in the Adopt-a-Road program and clean up on Wellington County Road 7 from Rothsay to the Drayton corner. This May, they will also be hosting several delegates from Europe. JFAO provides opportunities for members to take part in several exchanges to Europe, Tazmania, and across Canada.
Club members also helped at the Pizza Perfect event in Elora on March 26 and 27 and were recently out to the Ag Career day in Elora on March 21, where they spoke to high school students about how Junior Farmers can help them further a career, whether they decide to pursue employment in agriculture or another field.
The local group’s next meeting will be held following the spaghetti dinner on April 14 at 8pm at the Drayton Ag hall and new members are welcome.
The club is also going roller skating in Neustadt on April 12 from 7 to 9pm.
The Junior Farmers’ motto is, “to build future rural leaders through self help and community betterment.”
Each year members collectively donate upwards of $50,000 to charitable projects across the province, along with countless hours of volunteer service. A provincial charity is designated each year, a list of which can be found at www.jfao.on.ca. JFAO also operates the Ontario Century Farm recognition program, which began as a centennial project in 1967.
The first JF clubs formed in 1914 in Durham, York, Peel, and Middlesex. JFAO is a charitable organization established in 1944 with the support of the rural extension branch of the Ontario government, with a membership of approximately 10,000 at its peak.
