Barry Tolton believes Grey Bruce Farmers Week has become more than just a place where farmers can listen to speakers on agricultural topics and issues.
He suggests it's also become a major social event where farmers can exchange ideas with each other.
Tolton was working with OMAFRA when he became involved with Grey Bruce Farmers Week in the early 70's.
He says he can probably name a number of people who have been to every Grey Bruce Farmers Week since it began.
Next month's event will be the 50th year for the gathering.
According to Tolton, it got started by some Grey Bruce farmers who felt a conference being held every year in Guelph was too far to go for many farmers in the two counties, so they came up with something a little closer.
It started off being a four-day event, with days focusing on beef, dairy, swine and crops - and has evolved into a full seven-day educational conference.
It's also had a number of homes - including Hanover, Chesley, and Elmwood.
The 2016 Grey Bruce Farmers Week runs January 6th to the 12th at the Elmwood Community Centre.
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According to Barry Tolton, Grey Bruce Farmers Week was created as an option to a Guelph event deemed too far to go for many farmers in the two counties.
[audio mp3="http://blackburnnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/GBFW-Tolton-3.mp3"][/audio]
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Tolton was working for OMAFRA when he became involved with the event in the early '70's.
[audio mp3="http://blackburnnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/GBFW-Tolton-1.mp3"][/audio]
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Tolton says it's become more than just a place to go to hear speakers on agricultural topics.
[audio mp3="http://blackburnnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/GBFW-Tolton-3.mp3"][/audio]
