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Donovan Smith of Blackstock is the most Outstanding Young Farmer in Central and Eastern Ontario. The 85 year old dairy farmer was one of 10 individuals be- tween the ages of 18 and 39 nominated for the Central Re- gion Jaycees Outstanding Young Farmer Competition. On Saturday April 1,ataban- uet in Pickering, Donovan was chosen above all the other com- petiton to win the Regional ti- tle. Heis now a Regional Honoree and will go to Calgary in Octo- ber (from the 19th to the 23rd) to compete against seven other Regional Honorees from other Regions across Canada. Of these nominees, three will be chosen as the National Out- standing Young Farmers, and i Kountry Kreations ® New Gift Shoppe Opening in Port Perry Featuring handmade sweaters & crafts, pot pourri, fine porcelain figurines, 'candles and kitchen accessories. Pamper yourself with our extensive selection of imported bath items. Watch for our Grand Opening Friday April 14th 2 Seuen Tl ji | Mand sor presented with the W.R. Mo- therwell Award. The three win- ners will also participate in or- ganized and . publicized recognition events throughout the year. Whatever happens in Cal- gary, it was a high honour for Donovan to win as a Regional Honoree. "I was a little surprised, a lit- tle in shock," he told the Star Monday morning. "It's one of those things that takes a little while to hit you. The competi- tion was tough." Other relatively local nomi- nees in the competition includ- ed Ted Smith of Sunderland and Brian VandenBerg of New- castle. Donovan was nominated by - the staff at the Bowmanville Agriculture office, much to his Saturday Night Dinner & Dancing COME FOR A SPECIAL DINNER EXPERIENCE AT OUR FINE RESTAURANT AND END YOUR EVENING OUT DANCING TO THE NOSTALGIC SOUNDS of the 50's, 60's and 70's. Call for reservations ... 985-9784 Sunday Brunch Buffet including soup, juice, coffee & dessert ADULTS: $8.95 | . FULL MENU BRUNCH CHILDREN under 10: Sunday Evening - Regular Dinner Menu Breakers PREMIER NOSTALGIA CLUB -- THURSDAY 'NIGHT TALENT HUNT -- Saturday Night Dance to the Music of the 50's, 60's and 70's wth GEORGE "Miami" RIZSANYI | $4.95 PORT PERRY'S | | | Friday, April 14th at Breakers | "MIAMI" RIZSANYI presents a | 1950's-60's MUSCLE BEACH PARTY | COUPON -- 10% OFF - coupon: FRIDAY DINNER MENU Valid only on Friday April 7th, 1989 Fully licenced under the L.L.BO. Calor veervations ev. 985-9784 SS a Young PORT PERRY STAR -- Tuesday, April 4, 1989 -- 3 Donovan Smith honoured as most Outstanding ie ed £3 % TR * Y me ¥ 5% oo. . & ; wn WE vn Donovan Smith, 35, of Blackstock, was honoured Saturday night with the prestigious Farmer Outstanding Young Farmer award for all of Central and Eastern Ontario. Despite some tough competition from nine other nominees, Donovan won the regional title and will now "go on to Calgary for national competition. See story for detalls. surprise. It wasn't until he re- ceived a Jaycees nomination no- tification in the mail that he was even aware of the contest, which is designed to spotlight young men and women who, through their own resources 'and innovations, have achieved success and leadership in the farmingindustry. The program is administered by the Canada Jaycees at the lo- cal, regional and national lev- els. Nominees were judged on progress in their agricultural career; soil, water aud energy conservation; production histo- ry; community contributions; and financial record keeping. 'When Donovan goes to Cal- gary to bejudged for the nation- als, he will also be subjected to oral interviews. Donovan, a dark-haired bach- elor whose family has farmed in Scugog Township for many years, runs a clean, well-kept gheration just southeast of ackstock. He owns 242 acres, on which he grows hay and barley, and keeps 50 head of Holsteins. He does almost all of the work him- self. Donovan has run the farm for the last six years, but he's been involved with farming all his life. He grew up on his father Les' farm southwest of Man- chester. When he's not working on the farm, he's busy in a multitude of community groups, including the 4-H Club, the Durham County Holstein Club, the On- tario Dairy Herd Improvement Corporation, the Boy Scouts, the United Church, the Hol- stein Association of Canada, the Durham Agricultural Society, the Blackstock Fair Board, the Ontario Federation of Agricul ture, baseball and hockey. "I haven't had time to get married," he said with a grin. Three national sponsors have recognized the value of the Out- standing Young Farmer Pro- gram, and its need for support. Hoechst Canada Inc., John Deere Ltd., and the Bank of Montreal have made major con- tributions to ensure the contin- ued success and survival of the program. Some farmers have avoided involvement in the program, be- cause they aren't looking for recognition, or they consider themselves to be "average" farmer, But the Oot standing oung Farmers Program judg- es on the basis of the resources the nominees have, how they're used, innovativeness, and in- volvement in the community. It does not judge on material wealth. Er Past honorees say that they highly recommend the program to other farmers. Nominees get the personal satisfaction of rep- resenting their area and meet- ing with their peers. Perhaps the most important thing is that the nominees are activ:ly helping to promote agriculture.