WHITEWATER REGION (Foresters Falls) — Seven young people are touring Renfrew County for two weeks as part of an exchange program that Renfrew County Junior Farmers are participating in.
Teir schedule included visiting the Bonnechere Caves in Eganville, Shaw Woods, Hugli’s Ranch, Algonquin Park, attending the Beachburg Fair and going whitewater rafting. But, since the program is about farming, they were also busy visiting many farms in the area. Those farms included Stewart’s on the Barr Line, Reuben Stone (BioTechnology in Cobden), Dave Mckay’s sheep, Klaesi’s on Government Road, Van Lindenburg’s on the Queen’s Line, Rick’s Bees and the newest barn in the area, Schuurman’s near Westmeath.
The young people, who belong to similar orgaizations like the junior farmers, were Laura Agnew (Northern Ireland), Julia Menzel (Germany), Adam Messenger (England), Hazel Murray (Scotland), Simone Hutter (Austria), Severin Walser (Switzerland) and Ethan Williams (Australia).
One of the first stops was the Renfrew Pontiac Livestock sales barn near Cobden.
“Preston Cull is a good auctioneer,” said Ms. Agnew.
However, Ms. Menzel added, “I couldn’t understand the auctioneer.”
They found the hemp farm interesting. They had a taste of hemp, observing it tasted nutty.
“It could be an up and coming market,” said Mr. Messenger, with Ms. Murray, adding, “It’s a superfood, but I don’t know if it would grow in Scotland. We don’t have enough sun and heat.”
They all admitted while the heat is nice while they are here, the humidity is killing them.
“We’re swimming a lot,” said Ms. Murray, with Mr. Williams adding, “We’re taking two or three showers a day.”
They also had a fun time playing Cow Patty Golf. It was explained that they use alternative things, like a large wooden stick, to hit a tennis ball.
They were also amazed as they watched the rain come in while they were at Lookout Park near Westmeath
A few of them had never seen bee hives before and thought it was quite unique. They even tasted the honey directly from the hive.
Some of the things they discovered that are different here include milk in bags (not cartons or glass bottles); how flat the land is; straight roads; poor water quality; the very large food portions; how far away the neighbours are and how vast the acreage is on some of the farms.
While the program allows them the opportunity to visit other countries and learn their cultures, they also noted they get to travel with people from different countries, learning their differences as they go along.
Mr. Williams noted it was the first time he had seen a dairy barn, since in Australia the cows live outdoors year-round; while Mr. Messenger said there are no tie stall dairies that he’s aware of in England.
They also said Canadians eat more fast food and pre-packaged food – such as Tim Hortons.
But, they did admit, and were very thankful, their host families served home-cooked meals.
Mr. Williams said he has never had a barbecued hot dog before, because in Australia they only boil hot dogs and they all agreed poutine is tasty. The best beer is Bud Light and Mr. Walser said it was the first time he tried sweet potato fries and they were great.
There were differences in the homes here as well, including having basements, having sockets in washrooms and putting light switches upside down.
Ms. Agnew was surprised to find the shower in the bathtub and that most of the cars are automatic; the trucks are large and fuel prices are cheap.
Ms. Murray noted everything “is so far apart.”
One of them even noted that vegetables, even though they are grown in the area, are expensive.
Ms. Agnew tasted asparagus for the first time, and admitted, it will most likely be the last time. She also observed Canadians eat a lot of raw vegetables, and yet, smother salads with dressing.
“You eat a lot of salt and sugar here,” Ms. Murray said.
They also admitted they can tell the difference in the taste of the area beef, since we feed too much corn.
“You need to feed beef more on grass,” said Mr. Messenger. “I can even taste the corn in the milk.”
The cattle are penned here and there are more dual wheel tractors.
Mr. Messenger noted while no till planting is “big here, it’s just starting to catch on in England.”
They are looking forward to visiting Ottawa, Toronto, the Peterborough Liftlocks and finally going whitewater rafting with Wilderness Tours on Saturday.
“I’ll probably scream and fall in,” said Ms. Agnew with a laugh. “They’ll have to pull me back in because I have no upper body strength.”
The seven young people will be travelling throughout Ontario for a total of 13 weeks.
Ms. Murray said the hosts have been great so far.
They also spoke about the connections they make through the program. Ms. Murray said if any of the people who participate in the program decide to travel, most won’t have trouble finding a place to stay, because there are open invitations to visit and stay with those they have met along the way.
She was excited to meet the family who hosted her mother when she participated in the young farmers exchange program.
It’s also a great opportunity to learn different cultures, farming techniques and rural living, Mr. Williams said.
For Julia Menzel, this program is allowing her to improve her English. While she admits she can speak it pretty good, she realized once she arrived, she needed to improve it much more.
Ms. Agnew and Ms. Murray both agreed Ms. Menzel’s English has improved greatly, while at the same time admitting, we use a lot of slang.
The young people agreed that by travelling together they also get the opportunity to better their social skills, because it’s rude to travel with other people and not talk.
“This trip has been very rewarding so far,” Ms. Murray said.
They all agreed the area Junior Farmers have been fantastic in taking them throughout the area. And, they agreed, that even though they aren’t all farmers and come from different backgrounds, they all have some of the same interests.
The young farmers will be leaving the area on Saturday.
Johanna Dwyer is the current president of the Renfrew County Junior Farmers and there are just over 30 members. Members are between the ages of 15 to 29. For more information, check out their facebook page, Renfrew County Junior Farmers.
