The Ottawa Valley Seed Growers Association (OVSGA) presented its 2026 Ottawa Valley Championship Seed, Feed and Forage Show on March 11 at the Ottawa Valley Farm Show.
Kathy Hardy was recognized by her peers with the 2026 OVSGA Award of Excellence for her outstanding achievements and contributions in agriculture.
“It gives me a tremendous feeling of pride to realize that I’ve achieved that goal,” an emotional Hardy said. “I’ve been very happy to see others win it, very well deserving people, and to be part of that select group — it’s pretty special.”
Why it Matters: The awards promote best practices, knowledge sharing, mentorship and community building within agriculture.
From the time she was in 4-H, Hardy said her family set a strong example of giving back to the community, and the people who supported her made a big difference.
“It’s so important. It’s the little extra things that you get back from being involved in community things and organizations, and we need volunteers,” she explained. “Don’t be afraid to volunteer, you don’t have to take on the world.”
Hardy’s volunteer contributions to agriculture began immediately after aging out of 4-H, returning as a leader, serving on the executive board, and chairing the regional championship show and the 1993 conference. She volunteered for the Agriculture in the Classroom program, participated in soil and crop activities, and became a member of her county’s peer review committee for the newly introduced Environmental Farm Plan.
Hardy helped bolster the Dundas County Soil and Crop Improvement Association by introducing a formal committee structure, organizing the club’s 60th anniversary celebrations, and playing a key role in creating the county seed show.
Her pedigree, seed business knowledge, and experience shone as a provincial director of the Canadian Seed Growers Association and the Eastern Ontario Crop Advisory Committee, which helped establish the Eastern Ontario Crop Conference and crop diagnostic day events.
The Ottawa Valley Farm Show, as with many organizations, is carried on the back of volunteers’ time, effort and passion to ensure events like the farm show, 4-H programs and regional programs like the championship seed, feed and forage events continue.
Hardy’s an OVSGA director and lifetime member and has sat on the prestigious pedigreed seed auction committee since its 1992 inception.
Her volunteer efforts include the Kemptville College Foundation Board, Inkerman Public School, North Dundas Minor Hockey, and the Winchester Parade of Lights.
“If you don’t have people that are ready to step up and do their part…,” Hardy trailed off. “You don’t have to take on the world. You break it down into increments, and everybody does their part and pulls together as a team.”
Seed Award winners included:
The Glaude Family, Best Entry of Barley
Paul Empey, Champion Exhibit of Wheat
Valley Bio, Best Entry of Red clover and Champion Exhibitor of Forage Seed.
Mark Thurler, Champion Hay Exhibit
Bernard and Tracy Grady, Champion Exhibit of Haylage
Jeff and Jen Waldroff, Best Exhibit of Corn Silage
Jim and Connie McDiarmid, Champion Ear Corn in Open and 4-H, Champion Sheaf of Grain, Special Export 1st Cut
Robert Campbell, Champion Exhibit of Shelled Corn
David Harrigan, Champion Exhibit of Potatoes
Lightning Street Organics, Champion Organic, Champion Exhibit of Soybeans
Kelso Purdon, Champion Maple
Craig and Andrew Barton, Champion Exhibit Ottawa Valley Hay Quality,
John Nanne, Champion Exhibit Ottawa Valley Haylage Quality
Hilltone Farms, Champion Exhibit Ottawa Valley Corn Silage Quality
Kevin Neill, Special Export 2nd Cut
Chloe Glaude, Most points in 4-H Field Crop Section
Evey Twigge, Most points in 4-H Lifeskills
Bentley Smith, Champion 4-H Field Crop Exhibit
Dundas, Top County- most points in Open field Crop classes
Barry Dean, Best Buttertarts
Ceresco, Champion Pedigreed Seed Lot in Auction
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