Wellington Junior Farmers are ready to party like their club is 95.
Kristina Signer, Wellington Junior Farmers communications officer, says the club will host a 95th anniversary picnic at Centennial Park in Drayton on Aug. 4. The afternoon event will begin at 12:30pm and include a variety of lawn games, such as bocce ball and ladder golf, in addition to the barbecue.
“We’re just throwing a little barbecue with alumni and current members,” said Signer.
Between 20 and 30 Wellington Junior Farmer alumni have already indicated they plan to attend. Combined with current members and guests from other Junior Farmer clubs, Signer said organizers are expecting between 50 and 80 people will attend.
The event will provide an opportunity to “reminisce about some old times and talk about what we’re doing now in the club,” said Signer.
Any alumni interested in attending the 95th anniversary celebration are invited to contact Romy Schill at 519-669-4146.
Wellington Junior Farmers history
A Junior Farmers’ Improvement Association was organized in Arthur in 1918 with the help of agricultural representative R.H. Clemens. In 1919, a Harriston club was formed, in 1920 the Fergus and Elora clubs were organized and a year later the Hillsburgh club appeared. In 1922, the Wellington County Junior Farmers’ Association was founded with Harry Cossie of Elora as president. By 1927 there were 21 clubs in the county. In 1944, the Aberfoyle and Rockwood clubs affiliated with the provincial association. In 1980 there were eight clubs in Wellington with 550 members.
The new Wellington JF includes many members of Erin Junior Farmers and graduates of a club based at the University of Guelph. There have been as many as 21 active clubs in the county at one time.
Junior Farmers consists of people aged 15 to 29 from all walks of life. It is the only self-directed youth program in Ontario and strives to build future rural leaders through self-help and community betterment.
