About the Peterborough Agricultural Society

About The
Peterborough
EX

History

Initially known as the Colborne District Agricultural Society (1842-1850) fairs were usually one day and held on the Court House Green. The name Peterborough Agricultural Society was adopted in 1854 and remained unchanged until 1867 during which time the one-day fairs were usually held in the fall on a Saturday at varying locations including Town Hall, Market Square, Water Street and the Court House. It was even once held in Norwood during these days.

1971 Reserve Grand Champion Bull

From 1867 to 1902, the fair was called The West Riding Fair and the Peterborough Central Exhibition. During this era these events ranged from mid-week two-day shows to four-day affairs and were held on what is now known as Morrow Park.

Bessie says, "Hey, that plate looks empty."

At the turn of the century as Peterborough became a city of industrial innovation, so did the fair. From 1903 to 1940 the fair was called the Peterboro Industrial Exhibition and was a full four-day event. During wartime the fair was cancelled so the grounds could be used for a training centre; a necessary but concerning act since no one knew if the fair would ever be held in Peterborough again.

The De Laval Clarifier

Following the war the name “Peterborough Exhibition” was coined and resumed as a five day show which ended on the Saturday before the CNE.

Although the dates, names and locations have changed the once constant is the spirit of showcasing innovation in agriculture.

4 in Hand Wagon Pull

Young people must be encouraged to take up farming and it is through agricultural colleges that they will do so. It is also through exhibitions, with their traditions, that the importance of agriculture can be impressed upon the public. The duty of the Fair has changed: it began as a task of improvement — a duty which has been taken over, in large part, by the state. Today the duty is to enter into the public mind and present the farming of tomorrow — and do so in the festive spirit introduced in the 19th century.

~ Peterborough Examiner, August 5, 1958 Editorial

About the Board

Mark Balkwill
President, Peterborough Agricultural Society

Hello Peterborough, my name is Mark Balkwill and I’m very pleased to be the new chair of the Peterborough Agricultural Society. I currently live in Buckhorn with my wife Tracy, my children Ben and Rachel also live close to us here and our lives revolve around them and the greater Peterborough community. I bring a strong background in ag as a dairy farmer and farm organization leader. My early years in 4H and Jr farmer set the stage for my years as chair of a number of local and Ontario wide organization and I hope I can us this experience to help this ag society to have a critical place in the future. I truly am looking forward to working with this young and growing group of directors and volunteers to find a new path to show case agricultural and create new experience for our city consumers to explore. I invite you to reach out to us also and share your thoughts past and future of where we fit in this community. In closing I’d like to say if you ate today thank a farmer if you are a farmer thank you Regards Mark.

Shannon Cameron
Vice President, Peterborough Agricultural Society

With her passion for agriculture she felt volunteering and being on the
Board of Directors team for the Peterborough Ag Society would be a great
way give back to the community. Shannon enjoys being on a team and being able to help contribute to current ideas and projects as well as add input to new ideas for the community. She enjoys learning
and trying new things and the sense of self satisfaction that volunteering brings. “It’s a great feeling!”

Alisha Bauer
2nd Vice President, Peterborough Agricultural Society

Alisha grew up on a small family farm in Durham region where her love of
agriculture flourished. Her passion for agriculture and animals lead her
to a career as a veterinary technician. Alisha began raising rabbits in
2001 and later on sparked an interest in showing rabbits. She has
directed the rabbit and cavy show with the Peterborough Agricultural
Society since 2015. Alisha moved to Peterborough county in 2016 with her
husband to raise their family surrounded by an amazing agricultural
community. Alisha joined the board of directors in 2017 to share her
passion for agriculture and education with the community.

Victoria McEldon
Executive Director, Peterborough Agricultural Society

Victoria McEldon, lives on a small hobby farm in Millbrook.

She has been volunteer on the board since being the 2012 Senior
Ambassador. She strongly believes in sharing her knowledge to promote the agricultural industry as it has made a huge impact on her life. She has a special interest in animal husbandry and medicine and it was influenced greatly by her experiences in 4-H and her exposure to the agricultural industry in general. These experiences lead her to a career as a Registered Veterinary Technician.

Tanya Bailey
Board Member, Peterborough Agricultural Society

Tanya Bailey holds an MBA and PhD and owns The Cheesy Fromage, a cheese shop and wine bar in Lakefield, Ontario. She has lived in the area from her late teens. Her past experience includes spearheading the creation of an historic automobile museum, planning and organizing centennial celebrations and serving as an advisor on international business and activities to the Mayor and City Council of Savannah, Georgia. Another of her prominent projects was preparing a preliminary strategic plan for building an arena and bringing an ECHL franchise to Savannah which was presented to the City Council and ultimately brought to fruition. She served as an Incident Commander for Emergency Services in the Civil Air Patrol, responding to oil spills, hurricane relief and search and rescue missions. Tanya’s present endeavours include sitting on the Selwyn Polarfest planning committee, founding and organizing the annual Wag’O’Ween Lakefield event, benefitting Lakefield Animal Welfare Society, Lakefield Pirate Festival, the Ice Ball and a variety of local food and wine events. Tanya’s work in her cheese shop includes procurement of artisan cheese and wine from Ontario producers, and she frequently visits their farms, speaking at length to farmers to find out what issues they face in promoting their products and assisting in resolving those. She has created a platform “Eat More Canadian Cheese” to increase awareness and promote local farm to table products, which has recently been brought to the attention of the Dairy Council of Canada. She works closely with local, provincial and federal government on a number of issues in her work to promote Ontario farm products and has a keen interest in agri-tourism in the Kawarthas.

Sandra Busby
Board Member, Peterborough Agricultural Society

My name is Sandra Busby. My young family and I moved to Peterborough from Orangeville in 1986. When my youngest, at the time, went into Kindergarten I began studies at Trent University. Our third child was
born during the fall reading week of my last year. My baby may have been the youngest participant at Trent U.. I earned my degree in Anthropology in 1996.
I grew up in Coe Hill, Ontario and began entering in Homecraft at the Coe Hill Fair when I was in grade six. That was 50+ years ago. I first entered in Homecraft at the Peterborough Exhibition in 1989. I was very successful in Baking and Crafts. I have been Co-Homecraft Chair since 2007; joining the Peterborough Agricultural Society Board at that time. While entering at local fairs in District 4 and at Coe Hill in District 3, I have won countless ribbons. There have been several years where I have placed 1st at the District level for Whole Wheat Bread and later Butter Tarts. In February 2023 I won Grand Champion Butter Tarts at the O.A.A.S. Convention. I will be competing with Butter Tarts, representing the Peterborough Ag Society in February 2025.
Becoming a certified Judge in 2024 has given me a full circle feeling in Homercraft.

Kathy Clodd
Board Member, Peterborough Agricultural Society

I moved to the Peterborough area in 1989 from Milton, Ontario where I was raised along with my 2 younger brothers.
I graduated from the University of Windsor in 1981 with a General Arts Degree. I have a Diploma in Accounting from the Toronto School of Business in 1986.
I moved to the Peterborough area in 1989 and have worked for Red Lobster for the past 30 years as a Production Cook.
I’ve  been involved with the Millbrook Agricultural Society as the Homecraft Chair for the past 32 years.
I joined the Peterborough Agricultural Society 19 years ago as a homecraft exhibitor and on the main board and as a Homecraft Committee
Member/ Chairperson for several years. I feel very protective of the Homecraft Committee and our traditions and our members that have been involved many more years in the Ag Society than I have.
I’ve seen many changes over the years to the Peterborough Ag Society (Exhibition).that certainly have been challenging. I look forward to see what a new board can achieve. Fund raising for the Society needs to be considered in the future to improve our financial situation.
I come from a agricultural background many generations ago which I’m very proud of. My Mothers great grandfather the Honorable John Dryden  was the first Minister of Agriculture in Ontario. Her grandfather W.A. Dryden was the first President of the Royal Winter Fair in 1922.

Greg Bartlett
Board Member, Peterborough Agricultural Society

Greg Bartlett has dedicated his professional career to rural risk reduction and emergency management, with over 20yrs of experience across Canada. Greg has a passion for the rural/urban conflict having a frontrow seat, watching his hometown of Whitby, Ontario evolve. Greg has supported communities in responding to natural hazards and critical infrastructure failures across Canada. Greg’s skills in emergency management have also been recognized across North America including being one of two Canadians on the; National Fire Protection Associations, Wildland and Rural Fire Protection Committee as a Principle Special Expert. Currently Greg holds a Bachelor of Science from Brandon University and is a former member of the Rural Policy Learning Commons, through the Rural Development Institute.
His Agri-entertainment accomplishments include: Manitoba Rodeo Cowboy Association, working as a supervisor at the Centennial Calgary Stampede and most recently the, International Plowing Match held in Lindsay Ontario. Greg enjoys passing along lessons learned from his experiences across Rural North America, at both Academic and Professional conferences.  You will now find him watching professional lacrosse and spending time at Starbucks in the North End of Peterborough, working towards his graduate degree.

Jenn Austin-Driver
Board Member, Peterborough Agricultural Society

Jenn is a party-throwing businesswoman who transformed her family farm, into a stunning wedding and events space that celebrates agritourism. With farming roots in Keene since 1953 (and Ennismore before that), Jenn’s all about legacy—honoring the past while bringing the city to the countryside.
 A former photographer (yes, she’ll make you smile), Jenn values community, connection, and a good outfit. When she’s not planning unforgettable events, she’s raising two little cowgirls who recently rocked their first 4H season showing Charolais cattle. For Jenn, it’s all about blending tradition, family, and a touch of fun to create something unforgettable.

Jonah Kwok
Board Member, Peterborough Agricultural Society

While at Trent, I joined the Trent Business Students’ Association, where I was a Director, Executive, and then President. During my time in those roles, I helped budget, plan, promote and execute student events. During the Pandemic lock-down, we found it really difficult to plan and execute events both on campus and virtually. Regardless, our team took this opportunity to create a student prize of $500 to be awarded every year for a student who contributes to the Trent community through extracurriculars and volunteerism, while maintaining a high average grade.fourth year at Trent, I took an internship at Gauvreau Accounting Tax Law Advisory, doing bookkeeping, personal taxes, preparing some payroll forms, and doing some corporate tax. I went back to school in the Fall to finish off my courses, and went on to work full time at Gauvreau from January to December 2023. Fun fact: while working there, my family appeared on 2 episodes of Family Feud Canada, which premiered in December of 2023.
In January 2024, I started at Farm Business Consultants (FBC), where I travel across Ontario preparing personal taxes for individuals, farmers, small businesses and contractors. I try my best to stay on top of changing tax policies, and inform my members of these changes, and address any financial concerns they have throughout the year. 
I sought this position because through my work I have developed an understanding of the importance of agriculture, and where economics and government policy intersect and effect it. I have met with hundreds of farmers who are operating, retired, or looking to pass on their farm to the next generation, and heard their complaints, their struggles, but overwhelmingly, their triumphs in hard times. I am in my mid-twenties and would like to help out our agricultural community in the long-term, and grow along with them. I hope that my knowledge and experience can help the AG Society reach a younger demographic, as well as heighten advocacy for agriculture in our community. 

Jade Carey
Board Member, Peterborough Agricultural Society

My name is Jade Carey. Agriculture and the Western lifestyle are deeply ingrained in my heritage. On my father’s side, my great-grandparents bred Belgians and my grandparents were active AQHA members, owning a Red Dunn stallion named Eternal Sunset, sired by Eternal Sun. On my mother’s side, my great-grandparents ran a fruit farm, selling their produce at the market (now Doo-Doo’s) in Bailieboro. My grandparents, along with their four daughters, were also involved in 4H and managed a hobby farm of their own.

After college, I moved out West and spent several years as a ranch hand on a cattle operation in Saskatchewan, where I also participated in small-town rodeos. Later, I moved to Northern Alberta and worked in event planning for local businesses, oil companies and rodeos.

I eventually returned to Ontario to start a family and now live in Bailieboro, on a farm just down the road from my grandparents’ old property. My husband and I are restoring an 1800s red brick farmhouse, reclaiming overgrown pastures, and building shelters and fencing for my retired rodeo horses. I’m also a proud mother of five little girls, who, like me, are passionate AGvocates. They are involved in 4H Cloverbuds and 4H Beef Clubs, where they show Limousin cattle. My garden provides for our family, and we also run a small farm stand where we sell vegetable seedlings, fresh eggs, fruit, and produce.

I’ve entered several Homecraft shows at local fairs and proudly won red ribbons for my Vanilla Bourbon Cherry-Blueberry Pie.

Abigail Shaw
Junior Director, Peterborough Agricultural Society

Louise Dobbin
General Manager, Peterborough Agricultural Society

Laura Robson
Board Member, Peterborough Agricultural Society

Laura Robson has family roots in the farming community as a 7th Generation in Peterborough County. Raised up on a mixed production farm and gained experience through her father’s large animal food production veterinary practice from rural Millbrook area. Involvement through the 4-H program and Young Canadian Simmental Association (local, provincial, and national levels) also provided experience and opportunities to develop skills through the 4-H motto “Learn To Do By Doing” and network with other enthusiasts of the beef breed of cattle, Simmental. Those experiences gained her interest in establishing a registered herd of Simmental cattle (1998) and flock of Dorset sheep (2001). She continued with the 4-H program from being a member to currently a volunteer as sheep leader since 2009. Other involvement in addition to the Peterborough Agricultural Society & 4-H program is on the board of directors of Peterborough County Cattlemen Association. Laura holds a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture major Animal Science degree (University of Guelph).

Membership

As a non-profit organization, individuals from the community can join our organization as a voting member. Becoming a member not only gives you the ability to vote on policy matters at our AGM but it also demonstrates support of agriculture in our community. To request to join please complete the form below: