PRIDE Seeds has hopped aboard the International Plowing Match and Rural Expo 2018 bandwagon.
In an announcement in Pain Court on March 14, PRIDE’s Doug Alderman, vice-president of sales and marketing, said the firm is donating $30,000 in cash, and another $7,000 in in-kind support for site stake placement for the RV Park at the IPM event, which will take place near Pain Court.
Jean Laprise, the IPM’s chair of land acquisition and education, said PRIDE’s involvement is appreciated.
“We’re very proud to have them. PRIDE has always been a very good corporate citizen,” he said. “They’ve been very kind to the community over the years.”
Alderman said getting involved in the IPM was a no-brainer for PRIDE when the executive committee of the company met.
“For all of us, it was no question we wanted to sponsor this event,” he said. “We wanted to make sure we are sponsors in our community.”
PRIDE is now the main stage sponsor for the IPM, which takes place Sept. 18-22 near Pain Court.
The unity between the company and the event goes beyond the pure agricultural element. PRIDE Seeds, one of the three largest seed corn companies in Canada, has a history dating back to the 1930s when Napoleon and Gerard King launched N. and G. King Seed Co. in a converted log house on the family farm in Dover Township.
Despite having a dealer network and distribution system extending from coast to coast, PRIDE Seeds’ head office remains in Pain Court.
“PRIDE Seeds is a valued member of the agricultural business community with roots dating back generations,” noted James Dow on behalf of the IPM 2018 Sponsorship Committee. “Having them take part in such a highly visible way will be good for all concerned.”
LaPrise said the IPM is a huge commitment for everyone in Chatham-Kent.
“It’s been nominated as one of the 10 must-see events in Ontario,” he said. “This is a community event and a community partnership. It brings the community of Chatham-Kent together.”
