Thank you to our readers who have already taken the time to fill out our survey. If you haven't yet filled it out, please consider taking a moment to do so this weekend as our survey will close on Monday, March 16th.
Thanks in advance for your time.
Link to Complete Survey:
Join Darling Insurance and our trusted Insurance Partners for a Farm Insurance Check-Up!
This educational workshop is designed to help you better understand the complexities of insuring your farm business.
We have 2 exciting workshops available this spring. These workshops are free and open to ALL members of the farm community.
When: Tuesday March 24, 2026, 6 - 9 PM
Location: Nestleton Community Centre, 3971 ON-7A Scugog, ON
Registration: dcavanagh@darlinginsurance.net or (705)775-5113
We are providing a light supper and space is limited so pre-registration is required.
When: Tuesday March 31, 2026, 6 - 9 PM
Location: Codrington Community Centre, 2292 County Road 30, Codrington, ON
Registration: dcavanagh@darlinginsurance.net or (705)775-5113
We are providing a light supper and space is limited so pre-registration is required.
Workshop Topics
• Understanding your policy
• Key differences in coverages
• What coinsurance means for you
• When to contact your insurance broker
• Defining a material change in risk
• Covering a farm business or on-farm diversified use
• Selling produce or farm products
• Operating a non-farm business from the same property
• Insights on inspections and claims
• Open question period for all your inquiries; this will be a panel discussion format
For those unable to join us, we're only a phone call or email away if you have any questions about the workshop topics or your own policy. We'd love to hear from you!
Did you know that our Agribusiness Team all have farm backgrounds? We are farmers advising farmers! Dave, Julie, Christine and Laura are more than happy to help you with your insurance needs.
Your Agribusiness Team
Customer Service: Laura Aird, (705)775-5119
Annual Renewal Reviews: Christine McKinley, (705)742-0766
Farm Fresh, Commercial, NewBusiness: Julie Kellett, (705)775-5124
Agribusiness Manager: Dave Cavanagh, (705)775-5113
E: agribusiness@darlinginsurance.net
P: (705)742-4245 Ext 833 TF: (800)387-1627 Ext 833
Do you have fond memories of your youth trying to halter break that 4-H calf ? Or maybe it is the memories from some of the baked goods with interesting flavours from he 4-H baking and homemaking clubs (now called Lifeskills clubs)? And how about all the camps and experiences from 4-H? 4-H has benefited many people in Peterborough County and throughout Ontario and Canada for generations and we are looking forward to continuing this fine tradition for today’s youth.
In keeping with this tradition, we would like invite everyone to the Peterborough 4-H Annual meeting at the Douro arena on Monday March 2nd at 7 p.m. Our Annual Meeting will talk about current clubs and projects offered in Peterborough in 2025 and new opportunities and possibilities for 2026. Part of the program will be a presentation from a representative from 4-H Ontario for 4-H volunteers and supporters. Refreshments will be available. For more information, contact Peter Doris, President, Peterborough County 4-H Association (705) 295-2755 cpdoris@nexicom.net
At our inaugural 2026 Board of Directors meeting, our executive was elected and the planning for the 2026 year began. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to any of the directors, listed below and also be sure to send your email address to peterboroughcountycattlemen@gmail.com, to receive the latest news and updates.
At this time we'd also like to thank Jason McIntosh for his years of being on the board and being on the Producer Education Committee and always being available to help with the barbecue as well with any other projects that were under taken. Jason had made the decision to step down this year, but he has also offered his new location for our 2026 Cattlemen's Barbecue. Stay tuned for details.
We wish to welcome a new director, Conner Hill to the board of directors!
President: Karen Paszternak - karen.paszternak@gmail.com
Vice-President: Greg Cornish - gregcornish44@gmail.com
2nd Vice-President: Glen Darling – darlinghomesteadfarm@gmail.com
Past President: Mike Fallis - sunsetacres@nexicom.net
Advisory Councillor: John Lunn - bonlunn@gmail.com
Secretary/Treasurer: Pat Leahy - pleahy@nexicom.net
Directors:
Dave Cavanagh - homestead_herefords@msn.com
Francis Crowley –
Harry Ellis - hairyellis@sympatico.ca
Owen Elmhirst - owen.elmhirst@icloud.com
Cole Fallis - sunsetacres@nexicom.net
Gavin Faught - gavinfaught@icloud.com
Conner Hill - connorhill4@icloud.com
Adrian Johnson - adrian.keith.johnson@gmail.com
Paul McMahon - paulmcmahon@xplornet.com
Guy Peel - g.peel@live.com
Laura Robson - lrobson_11@hotmail.com
Mike Telford - miwayfarms@outlook.com
Wayne Telford - margtelford1@gmail.com
At the recent Celebration of Agriculture, which was held on Saturday, February 14, 2026 at the Lang Agricultural Heritage Building, the Peterborough County Cattlemen presented the Longstanding Commitment Award to our secretary/treasurer Pat Leahy! The following is the tribute that was presented to her.....
We are here this evening to recognize someone who has and continues to play a major role in the Peterborough County Cattlemen Association, our secretary/treasurer, Pat Leahy. She is our voice of reason, who counsels and provides words of wisdom to the numerous Presidents she has mentored. She keeps impeccable minutes and knows our account balance down to the penny. Pat sorts through what must be an endless string of emails, and forwards them on to the people who need to know. She makes the job look easy, but we all know it is not.
Pat’s association with agriculture and cattle started as soon as she was born. She was raised in a farming family and recalls driving the horses and working during the harvests.
After meeting her husband, Larry, who proposed on Valentine’s Day, the 70’s initiated a lifetime around the production of beef cattle in Ontario, with a focus on purebred Charolais and raising quality bulls. This led to the Triangle Sales Management partnership developed with 2 other Charolais breeders.
Together they raised 3 children, Keith, Derrick & Shannon. All of whom were actively involved in the farm. Nothing is more important to Pat than her family. She never misses an opportunity to visit her son Keith and his family in Florida for important life milestones. She cherishes the time she is able to spend with her daughter Shannon, son Derrick and his family.
Larry served as a 4-H leader for many years and Pat was a constant presence at meetings and events, they generously supported the program and Pat was able to share her enthusiasm for teaching and mentorship.
Larry showed his cattle in breeding classes at local fairs with Pat was always by his side, supporting both the family and their farming operation. The show focus eventually turned to the steer shows, where the family earned recognition with having quality cattle and a lifetime of learning.
Over the years, Larry & Pat frequently participated in the annual Cattlemen’s bus trips. Pat continues to enjoy attending the bus trips, taking great interest in visiting and learning from other farming operations.
Pat enjoyed a long career as an elementary school teacher, a profession she embraced with dedication and passion. She retired in 2008 and took on the role of Secretary for the Peterborough Cattlemen Association, not too long after. Her first meeting was on April 27, 2009, at which time, Jack Holland was President.
As if she doesn’t have enough to do as secretary of the Cattlemens, in Pat’s ‘free’ time, she continues to keep her connection to the school and children by volunteering for the school breakfast program in Douro. During the winter you can catch up with her hitting a few rocks at the Lakefield Curling Club, and in the warmer days she’ll be out enjoying a walk with friends. She also continues to keep a small herd of Belgium Blue cattle.
On behalf of the Peterborough County Cattlemen’s Association, we are pleased to present the Longstanding Commitment to the Peterborough County Cattlemen to Pat Leahy, as a small token of our appreciation for everything she does.
We are extending an invitation to all businesses to become an associate member of the Peterborough County Cattlemen’s Association, for a nominal annual fee of $50.00.
Some of the benefits of being an associate member include:
In 2026 the events which we hope to have a presence at, are:
If you know of any other business that might wish to join as an associate member, please forward their contact information to Pat Leahy, so she may contact them directly.
Please make cheques payable to Peterborough Cattlemen and mail to Pat Leahy, 697 Douro 5th Line, Douro-Dummer K0L 2H0.
Once your associate membership fee is paid, you will receive a framed certificate and a sticker, each year, which can be affixed to the outside of the frame.
Join Farms at Work and farmer Andy Harjula for an engaging and hands-on morning dedicated to the art and science of fruit tree maintenance, pruning and grafting. Whether you’re a seasoned grower or a complete beginner, this workshop will provide you with the essential knowledge and skills to care for your apple trees and maximize their health and productivity.
Workshop Highlights
Introduction to Trees: Understand the basic needs and growth habits of trees, including key factors that influence their development and fruit production.
Pruning Techniques: Learn the importance of pruning as a vital tool for tree and orchard health.
Improving Yield: Learn how proper pruning can enhance fruit production.
Pruning Neglected Trees: Restore your trees to optimal health.
Hands-On Practice: Prune an orchard tree with Andy's guidance.
Grafting Techniques and Take Home Scion Wood: Learn grafting techniques. Each participant can take home their pruned scion wood to graft onto fruit trees at home.
If you would like to receive the latest news and upcoming events from the Peterborough County Cattlemen, please send us an email at peterboroughcountycattlemen@gmail.com along with your name, so we can up date our records. Your email will NOT be shared with any other organizations or groups, it will be used only to share information from the Peterborough County Cattlemen.
Between January and March 2026, the Alto team is meeting with communities in several municipalities across the proposed corridor between Toronto and Quebec City. For information on their proposed routes, please view the map on the Alto Website: https://en.consultation.altotrain.ca/shaping-the-canada-of-tomorrow-with-high-speed-rail/places/interact-map
The following open houses are happening locally in person:
February 26: Peterborough (McDonnel Street Community Centre) 11:00am to 3:00pm and 5:00pm to 9:00pm
March 5: Madoc (Madoc Township Recreation Centre) 11:00am to 3:00pm and 5:00pm to 9:00pm
March 25: Sterling (Sterling and District Lions Club) 11:00am to 3:00pm and 5:00pm to 9:00pm
no registration required, free to attend
There are also some virtual sessions. Please check out their calendar for more info: https://www.altotrain.ca/en/public-consultation/open-house
Can't make it to a session? They are also collecting feedback through an online survey: https://en.consultation.altotrain.ca/shaping-the-canada-of-tomorrow-with-high-speed-rail
The East Central Farm Show is coming up soon! It runs from 9:30 am to 9pm on March 4th and from 9:30am to 4pm on March 5th. Admission is $10 or free with the purchase of a 2026 Soil and Crop Membership. For more details visit this link: https://regionalscia.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/ecfs-flyer-2026.pdf
