Known as an annual event in the farm community, the Elgin Federation of Agriculture (EFA) banquet is a mainstay on the community calendar. A perfect opportunity to break up the winter months, farmers, agribusiness and neighbors will connect on February 2nd, 2013 for a night of socialising, recognizing local accomplishments and celebrating agriculture.

"After a challenging year of drought and hard work, this is a great opportunity to take stock of the successes in agriculture," says Fons Vandenbroek, EFA President, and a cash crop and pork producer in Malahide Township. "The Federation always enjoys hosting this event and recognizing the contributions that farmers and agribusiness owners make to our community and the economy."

The guest speaker will be Andrew Campbell of Fresh Air Media. Together with his wife and his parents they own a dairy farm in the Glencoe area. Andrew is dedicated to agriculture education and is a key player in the creation and execution of 4-H Ontario's Sen$e Suite, a series of workshops for young agriculturalists. With a degree in journalism, and his exceptional energy, Andrew uses his skill to teach farmers how to communicate with the public, including how to use social media on their farm.

The Elgin Federation of Agriculture (EFA) / Elgin Business Resource Centre (EBRC) Ag-Business Award will be presented to the Aylmer Express for their exceptional coverage and promotion of farming and agricultural events in Elgin County over the years.

The Elgin County / Kettle Creek Agricultural Conservation Scholarship will be formally presented to Kari Huras of St. Thomas, who is in the second year of the Veterinary Technology program at the Ridgetown Campus of the University of Guelph.

For information or tickets, contact the Elgin Federation of Agriculture at the Elgin Agricultural Centre at 519-633-0114. The (EFA) Annual Awards Banquet will be held at the St. Anne's Centre on Morrison Drive in St. Thomas.