Junior Farmers harvest milestone
100th anniversary celebration Sept. 10 for group that’s open to all young people interested in rural living
Peterborough County Junior Farmers might just be the bestkept match making organization in the county.
Peter and Audrey Keitel met there in 1987. They’ve now been married for 27 years.
The Keitels know at least six other couples in the county who met there, too. Now their daughters, Becca and Lora, are involved and Becca met her boyfriend at an alumni dance for Junior Farmers three years ago.
Is there potential for a second generation Junior Farmers wedding in the Keitel family? “Potentially,” said Becca.
Becca, 21, and Lora, 22, joined the club when they were 15. That’s as soon as you can get in.
Now, they’re helping to organize their club’s 100th anniversary celebration Sept. 10.
It’s happening at Keene United Church in Keene, starting at 6:30 p.m. Dinner is at 7 p.m. and the dance floor will be feeling the heat at 9 p.m.
The event is open to anyone associated with the Junior Farmers from any of the clubs in Ontario.
Becca is hoping there’ll be a big crowd, especially of alumni.
“They haven’t seen each other much since they were in junior farmers, so I hope it’s a great catch up for everyone,” she said.
The Keitel sisters are two of about 20 members in the local club.
Since they joined, Becca said she’s noticed a decrease in members signing up.
She thinks it could be because there aren’t a lot of people in rural areas anymore.
Also, the name, Junior Farmers, might be misleading.
“That’s the misconception – you don’t have to be a farmer to be a part of it,” she said.
It’s open to anyone interested in agriculture or rural living.
The club is heavily involved in the agricultural community, and is associated with the Ontario Federation of Agriculture, which keeps them updated in the agriculture industry.
“It’s also a great way to meet people who are interested in the same things that you are,” Becca said.
A yearly membership to the club is $30 for newcomers and $45 for returning members.
Members, ages 15 to 30, meet twice a month, for a meeting and a social.
During the meeting, they go over their president’s report, finances, hear what’s going on in other clubs and discuss club provincial events.
And socials are all about having fun. They do activities including rock climbing, bowling or playing mini-golf.
Provincial events are just as social, but competitive, too. Clubs compete against other Ontario clubs every other month in various sports or art contests.
One event, the Autumn Profile, is dubbed the “Farmer Olympics,” with bale throwing, nail driving and cattle showing.
Though its numbers might not be as high as they once where, after 100 years, the club still has a following and Becca has an idea why.
“I honestly think it has a lot to do with the social aspect. You’re meeting people your age, who have the same interests as you, and you get together and just have fun.”
NOTE: Tickets to the Peterborough County Junior Farmers 100th anniversary banquet are $30. They can be purchased from Rachel Stillman by calling 705931-1916 or emailing ratkinson@nexicom.net