The Peterborough County Federation of Agriculture and the Greater Peterborough Chamber of Commerce are pleased to announce Blayne and Susan Barr & Family, RR 1, 489 4th Line Road, Warsaw, as the 2011 Farm Family of the Year.
The Barr family has been farming for 36 years on 600 acres of land in Douro-Dummer Township. Bargeolane Farms is operated by Blayne and Susan and their son Geoff and his family. Their daughters, Emily and Jenny and their families, as well as Blayne’s parents, also help out when needed. The family raises 160 heads of cattle, including 50 registered Holsteins and 25 commercial beef cows. In addition to their dairy and beef operations, the family also grows hay, corn, wheat, and barley, most of which is used on the farm.
The Barr family has been very active with local agricultural organizations, including the Peterborough County Holstein Club, Milk Committee, and 4H Dairy Club; as well as the Norwood Agricultural Society Dairy Committee. Family members have also been involved in minor hockey in Warsaw and Norwood, the Douro-Dummer Township Arena Board, Warsaw United Church, and the Norwood Figure Skating Club.
The farm has been recognized with numerous milk quality awards, as well as the Peterborough County Agricultural Leadership Award in 2010. However, for Blayne and Susan their greatest success is the fact that their son Geoff decided to come home and become part of the farm operation.
Congratulations to Blayne, Susan, Geoff and family on being selected as Peterborough County’s 2011 Farm Family of the Year.
The award will be presented at the Peterborough County Federation of Agriculture Annual Banquet, to be held on Friday, November 18th, at the Peterborough Naval Club. For more information and to purchase tickets, please contact Herma van Beek at (705) 639-5874 or Getha Sherry at (705) 745-9748.
Media Release