Mar 30, 2016

Great Lakes Grain announces Don Kabbes as its new general manager

Don Kabbes
Great Lakes Grain is pleased to announce that Don Kabbes has accepted the position of general manager, effective April 4, 2016.

Kabbes has demonstrated exceptional leadership ability during his more than 32 years working in the Ontario Co-operative System, holding increasingly progressive positions and most recently as the market development manager for Great Lakes Grain since 2010.

Kabbes has had a passion for agriculture his entire life. He received his diploma in agricultural business management from Centralia College of Agricultural Technology. He has served on numerous agricultural and community boards and committees, such as the Grain Farmers of Ontario and the Petrolia Minor Hockey Association. He also operates a small cash crop farm in west Lambton County.

Kabbes succeeds Alex Elliott who has announced his plans for retirement with Great Lakes Grain in December this year. Elliott has served the agricultural co-operative system for more than ten years and has been instrumental in providing great leadership towards the advancement of Great Lakes Grain during his tenure.

Please join us in congratulating Don on his new position.


                                                                                                             

Mar 24, 2016

FS Bringing You What's Next at GFO March Classic for the third time!

I could say that “the third time’s a charm” for the FS System exhibit at GrainFarmers of Ontario March Classic Trade Show and Conference, but once again, this event proved to be as positive and fulfilling an experience as years one and two!

In keeping with the “FS Bringing You What’s Next” theme, new FS Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) and the latest FS customized agronomic analysis program called MiField were introduced to booth visitors.

Guests also took the opportunity to investigate current grain markets by viewing the on-line feed provided by Great Lakes Grain. 

Much appreciation and thanks goes out to the many enthusiastic volunteers who came out yesterday to share their agronomy, energy and grain marketing expertise.

The GFO Conference in London seems to grow each year with more than 65 exhibitors and over 700 guests walking through the London Convention Centre to meet up with fellow producers and industry folks.
Congratulations to the Ontario FS Companies. You were proudly represented! 
FS booth set up bright and early Tuesday morning--ready for visitors!  Seen here (L-R)  Justine Lennox-North Wellington  Co-operative Services, Juli Paladino-FS PARTNERS, Michelle Peters-UPI Energy LP,  Janice Johnson-GROWMARK, Inc., Terry Stevenson-AGRIS Co-operative Wanstead Farmers Co-operative 
and  Mike Dotterman,-AGRIS Co-operative.


Jim Irvine of Great Lakes Grain is ready to talk grain markets!



Nicole Weber of FS PARTNERS and Bill Brown, GROWMARK 
discuss new FS MiField  and precision ag programs.


Kent Wolfe, AGRIS Co-operative and Petra Hathaway, 
Great Lakes Grain check out GLG mobile site.


A great day by all! Hope to see everyone out again next year!

Mar 2, 2016

Launching a second decade of the Ontario 4-H Ambassador Program

Big milestones are in play for 4-H Ontario. Last year marked 100 years for 4-H provincially and ten years for the 4-H Ambassador program of which GROWMARK and UPI Energy have jointly sponsored since its inception.

From a sponsor's perspective, it is wonderful to see the record-breaking number of applicants we received this year. In 11 years, the program has seen good growth and launched more than 50 young people into strong leadership roles within their local communities and province wide.

We are proud to introduce our new 2016 Ontario 4-H Ambassadors. Seen below from (L-R) Vicki Brisson of Prescott and Russell County; Sadie-Jane Hickson, Kawartha-Lakes Haliburton region; Laura DeKlein, Middlesex County; Julie French, Peel region; Elaine Jeffs, Northumberland County; Logan Emiry, Sudbury District (Logan is our first Ambassador to come out of Region One).

Photo taken at Ontario 4-H Ambassador orientation and banquet evening Sat. Feb. 27, Arboretum, University of Guelph.


To read more about the Ambassador program, visit: www:4-hontario.ca