{"id":494897,"date":"2026-02-23T21:38:15","date_gmt":"2026-02-23T21:38:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/494897\/"},"modified":"2026-02-23T21:38:15","modified_gmt":"2026-02-23T21:38:15","slug":"ottawa-valley-farm-show-returns-with-tech-tradition-and-community","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/494897\/","title":{"rendered":"Ottawa Valley Farm Show returns with tech, tradition and community"},"content":{"rendered":"

The 67th Ottawa Valley Farm Show <\/a>(OVFS) has maintained a consistent theme throughout its decades: farm families, technology and community service.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur show is very cozy, it\u2019s almost like a homecoming,\u201d said Lauren Casselman, OVFS 2026 coordinator. \u201cLast year was my first year. I was walking around and seeing the camaraderie \u2014 everyone hadn\u2019t seen each other for a year. It\u2019s lots of traditions too.\u201d<\/p>\n

Why it matters: Farm shows provide a place to view the latest technology, but the Ottawa Valley Farm Show has unique events centred around community building for the agriculture sector.<\/p>\n

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Whether raising money for the Children\u2019s Hospital of Eastern Ontario, accepting Ottawa Mission donations, highlighting agriculture and rural communities, or showcasing new technology or research, the OVFS provides something for everyone.<\/p>\n

\u201cBrand new this year, we\u2019re bringing in some live music, not necessarily agriculturally related, but trying to add to the atmosphere and continuing with a homecoming kind of party feel,\u201d said Casselman. \u201cAnd Drone Spray Canada is going to talk about best practices and optimizing drone use for their crops (on Thursday at 9:30 a.m.).\u201d<\/p>\n

\"ExhibitorsExhibitors and presenters provide Eastern Ontario producers an opportunity to receive the latest information on technology and farm management. Photo: Ottawa Valley Farm Show<\/p>\n

Tickets are available online<\/a> for $12 and $15 at the gate. Children 12 and under are free, for the show held at the EY Centre near the Ottawa airport.<\/p>\n

Of the changes impacting the Farm Show this year, the most talked-about is the local school board\u2019s decision to move March break to a week after the show\u2019s March 10 to 12 dates.<\/p>\n

Casselman said the holiday shift has upset farm families, who regularly attend as a spring tradition, but it has created new opportunities for student participation.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve got five or six (high school) school buses coming,\u201d Casselman said. \u201cA lot of the local schools have ag programs, specialty programs, so now those kids get to come and check it out.\u201d<\/p>\n

To minimize parking pressure, the Farm Show offers a $500 bus grant, which, apart from the school, people have yet to fully access, said Casselman, adding that, at a minimum, carpooling is highly recommended because the free parking fills up quickly.<\/p>\n

\"TheThe Vintage Iron and Traditions Eastern Ontario group provide a glimpse into agriculture\u2019s past with a display of artifacts related to early Eastern Ontario rural life. Photo: Ottawa Valley Farm Show<\/p>\n

Tuesday at 10 a.m. and Wednesday at 1 p.m. in Event Hall B, Moe Agostino will deliver a \u201cMaking Soybeans Great Again\u201d presentation on how to manage markets and handle inputs and basis in 2026.<\/p>\n

Innovation Alley will showcase the latest Area X.O agri-tech innovations from robots to new methods to track crops and livestock in real time, along with ARIO Winchester Research Station\u2019s latest trials and projects.<\/p>\n

Young farmers can pre-register for free tickets to the \u201cGrowing Ag Social: For young, new and aspiring farmers\u201d on Thursday at noon, which includes a free lunch and features Kelsey Banks, who will share how her brain cancer journey helped reframe her future as an independent agronomist.<\/p>\n

Sowing deep roots<\/p>\n

The Seed Show and Award of Excellence on Wednesday at 11 a.m. pays tribute to the farm show\u2019s origins and to how the land has been woven into its 67-year history.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Seed and Forage competition has been going on for over 100 years, and that\u2019s what grew into the farm show,\u201d said Casselman.<\/p>\n

The Ottawa Valley Seed Growers Association will celebrate its 100-year anniversary at the 2027 \u201cA Century of Cultivating Excellence\u201d themed OVFS. The group is planning commemorative events and projects throughout the year, including a memorial video, an anniversary book and a gala.<\/p>\n

Casselman said the Farm and Food Care video booth will be available for people to share farm show memories, whether as individuals, families, exhibitors or competitors for the memorial video.<\/p>\n

Raising funds for children\u2019s care<\/p>\n

In anticipation of the anniversary, the Seed Growers sold special block quilt kits to create a 12-inch quilt block for a memorial quilt. The king-size quilt, featuring pieces from Alberta and across Ontario, will be auctioned off in 2027, with proceeds donated to the Children\u2019s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO).<\/p>\n

This is in addition to the Prestigious Pedigreed Seed<\/a> auction, held on the last day of the Farm Show at 2 p.m., which has been fundraising for CHEO since 1992. This year\u2019s proceeds are going towards the new Children\u2019s Integrated Treatment Centre (1Door4Care).<\/p>\n

For those interested in scale-model iron, the Vintage Iron and Traditions of Eastern Ontario (VITEO) will send you down memory lane in Hall D with an International 1256 as the 2026 collectible tractor display and the annual Toy auction, March 11 at 7 p.m.<\/p>\n

VITEO, whose aim is to protect, conserve, restore and promote the preservation of artifacts related to early Eastern Ontario rural life, will display an array of antiques and collectibles, including antique toys, historical gate signs, antique tools and milking equipment.<\/p>\n

The Farm Show is held at the EY Centre near Ottawa International Airport, with advance online ticket sales available for $12 or $15 at the gate; children 12 and under are free.<\/p>\n

Doors open daily at 9 a.m., closing at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, March 10th, 7 p.m. on Wednesday, and 4 p.m. on Thursday. Free parking and Wi-Fi are available at the EY Centre.<\/p>\n

Catch all of Farmtario\u2019s coverage of events at the show on our special show page<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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You\u2019ll also receive industry insight on why it matters delivered right to your inbox, 6 days a week!<\/p>\n

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