2009 International Plowing Match

News Release • Launch Agenda • Speaker Biographies

Official Launch - Guest Speaker List

Carman Kidd – Temiskaming IPM 2009 Chairman 705-647-7700 Carman is a local dairy farmer who operates Kiddcrest Farms in partnership with his wife Trudy and their son Michael. Carman has experience in municipal politics, having served as Reeve of Dymond Township and has served on many local boards in the Temiskaming District.
Albert Gauthier – Temiskaming IPM 2009 Vice Chairman 705-563-2516 Albert is a retired dairy farmer who lives in Earlton and is very active in the local community. His experience relates to municipal politics, farm commodity organizations and local service groups.
Leonard “Mac” Dowdall – Ontario Plowman’s Association 2007 President 1-800-661-7569 Mac is from Lanark County in Eastern Ontario and is presently serving a one year term as President of the OPA. Lanark County hosted the 2004 Plowing Match in which Mac was heavily involved.
Carl Weber – Ontario Plowmen’s Association 2nd Vice President 1-800-661-7569 Carl is from Grey County in south central Ontario and is presently serving a one year term with OPA as the second vice president. He will be the OPA President in 2009 when Temiskaming hosts the IPM. Carl and his son are both competitive plowers at the International Plowing Matches.
Jules Gravel – Reeve of Armstrong Township 705-563-2375 Jules Gravel has been the Reeve of Armstrong Township for more than 20 years.
Bob Cheetham – Smooth Rock Falls Economic Development Team 1-705- 338-2036 Bob Cheetham is the economic development officer for the Town of Smooth Rock Falls. He is the driving force behind the Northern Ag Network, a committee comprised of northern communities interested in pursuing opportunities in agriculture along the Highway 11 corridor in the great Claybelt from Cochrane to Hearst.
Jacqueline Gauthier – Industry Canada FedNor 705-671-8272 Jacqueline is a Policy and Planning Officer with Industry Canada serving Northeastern Ontario. She is based at the Industry Canada Sudbury office. Jacqueline is an Earlton native and daughter of the Temiskaming IPM 2009 Vice Chairman, Albert Gauthier.
Richard Le Clerc – Northern Development and Mines 705-568-4514 Richard is a member of the Regional Economic Development Branch overseeing the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund and is also the community liaison for the Kirkland Lake area.
Charlie Angus – Member of Parliament for Timmins James Bay 613-992-2919
Father Gilles Leblanc – Eglise St. Jean Baptiste 705-563-2220 Father Leblanc is the presiding catholic priest for the church in Earlton.
Frank & Yolande Rivard – Ferme Rivadale Ltee. 705-563-2907 Frank and Yolande & family operate a dairy farm and cash crop operation on 1000 acres of land adjacent to the village of Earlton. Frank is the third generation of Rivards’ to farm these lands, but will not be the last as his sons; Eric and Alex are both partners in the operation.
Roch Loranger – Ontario Plowmen’s Provincial Director 705-563-2688 Roch is a local dairy farmer and a past president of the Temiskaming Plowing Match Committee, the group that presents the annual local plowing match. Roch serves as the Provincial Director for Temiskaming to the Ontario Plowmen’s Association.