Selecting the Number One corn grower in Ontario could be a hotly contested issue. There’d be lots of nominees and candidates, and endless debate about the criteria. It’s a question we’d never resolve. However, we do know who the Number One member of OCPA is. Fifteen years ago, before the days of the mandatory check-off, people had to sign up to become members of OCPA. The first envelope opened on the day that process began belonged to Laurie Cox from Huron County.

As Laurie recalls, being the first member of OCPA was something that happened more by chance than by design. In those days, Laurie, with the help of a full-time hired man, was running a much larger operation than he is today. Most of the grain he produced was fed on the farm to feeder pigs and laying hens. Like many young farmers of that time, he had large debts and even larger stress, especially when he was having to pay 19 per cent interest.

“My neighbour, Evert Ridder, was actively selling memberships in OCPA, and he invited and encouraged me to join,” says Laurie. “I thought it was time that we had such an organization for corn growers, so I signed up. Those were tough times for young farmers getting started. There didn’t seem to be anyone who had the interests of the farmer at heart. We needed help and we weren’t getting it from either level of government. Growers of other commodities seemed to be doing better at getting support by cooperating through marketing boards or associations than corn growers were doing on their own.”   (Full Story)

Other Features in the May 1998 Ontario Corn Producer

AGCare Review - Farm Environmental Ethic

Success through Partnership - Ontario Agri-Food Education

Nitrogen Tests for Corn - Feasible even after Red Clover

What's for Dinner Tonight? - Corn in the Classroom

Canadian Agri-Food Research Coordination