Ontario Agriculture

The network for agriculture in Ontario, Canada

Day 8: Out with a bang! Battles, beers and baseball

The day started off early with a 6:30 departure from Alexandria, Virginia, with a two-hour drive to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Our in-flight service was compliments of Tom and Robin and consisted of snacks, moist towelettes and entertainment! There's nothing wrong with a little pampering in the morning. :) The health and wellness team got the competitive juices flowing with an adult colouring contest with our fearless bus driver Nancy serving as the judge!

Upon arriving in Gettysburg, it's clear to see that it is still a town very much steeped in history and civil war culture. Evidence of the great battle can still be seen throughout the town with bullet holes in the buildings, the cellars where the citizens waited out the battle, the preservation of historic sites and the many memorials. Great efforts are being made to return the 6,000 acre state park to the state in which it would have been found in 1863. Largely consisting of wooded sites used for firewood and agricultural land for cash crops, it was nice to hear that the state has a good working relationship with the local farming community to still actively farm the land.


We arrived at the Cyclorama Film and Museum experience where we viewed a film about the battle of Gettysburg during the Civil War. It set the back drop for our day and we finished up in the Cyclorama viewing room.

It was a planetarium-like room with an oil canvas 42 feet high by 372 feet long displayed around the perimeter of the room. The display included an exhibit of props that are so well placed they appear to go into the painting bringing it to life and giving the sense that you are out on the battlefield.

We hopped back onto the bus where we met with Chris Rebmann our certified Gettysburg Battlefield guide. We spent the next 2.5 hrs with Chris immersed in the battle of Gettysburg and walked in the footsteps of the Union army as they fought in a grueling battle against the confederate army for three days from July 1st-3rd, 1863; a battle that would result in 50,000 casualties. We heard many stories of different leaders that fought in that battle and the different ways in which they led theirs troops to victory; some leading from behind and others from the front. There is something very humbling and sobering about standing on the grounds of a great battle; a battle that you know shaped history to create the world in which we are fortunate to live in today.

After hitting the streets of Gettysburg for lunch it was back on the bus to make our way to The Pennsylvania State College. Our bus ride consisted of a lively conversation about how we can apply the examples of leadership we learned about in the battle of Gettysburg to our roles in agriculture and the agricultural community as a whole. There was also the sponsor spotlight highlighting the newly launched "SeCan's growing trust" as well as group time to work on our IAP projects.

After checking into the hotel we met our Pennsylvania counterparts from the Rural-Urban Leadership (RULE) Program at a local Spikes minor league baseball game. The hospitality offered by our guests made us feel truly welcomed. The ever expanding network of agricultural leaders has never been more evident. The opportunity to connect and share in a relaxed atmosphere was second to none. The Spikes won the game and we celebrated with fireworks!

Leadership was presented today through the lens of the in battle of Gettysburg. As a class we took away that as leaders we have to be adaptable, confident and willing to accept change. We all have difficult decisions to make everyday; the true leaders accept change and lead their peers in the direction of change.

-Class 16

Views: 379

Comment

You need to be a member of Ontario Agriculture to add comments!

Join Ontario Agriculture

Comment by OntAG Admin on July 15, 2016 at 8:00am

It sounds like a very thoughtful and profound experiences for everyone.

Agriculture Headlines from Farms.com Canada East News - click on title for full story

CFIA Proposes Changes to Expand Interprovincial Meat Movement

Canada is proposing temporary regulatory changes to support interprovincial meat trade, improve food security, reduce costs for producers, and strengthen rural and remote communities.

American Lentil, Pea Acres Slide from March, Last Year

U.S. farmers planted fewer lentils and dry peas than they indicated in March, with both crops also posting declines from last year, according to the USDA’s June Acreage report released Tuesday. American lentil area was estimated at 747,000 acres, down 85,000 acres from March intentions of 832,000 acres and down 30% from 1.072 million in 2025. Area expected to be harvested was forecast at 701,000 acres, down from 949,000 last year. Montana, the largest lentil-producing state, accounted for most of the decline. Farmers planted 560,000 acres, below the March projection of 620,000 acres and down 270,000 acres from 2025. North Dakota acreage fell to 130,000 acres, compared with the March estimate of 155,000 acres and 185,000 acres last year. Washington acreage was unchanged at 57,000 acres. Dry pea plantings were estimated at 1.047 million acres, down from the March projection of 1.17 million and down 11% from last year. Harvested area was forecast at 1.001 million acres, compared wit

ICE Close: Canola Higher on Return from Canada Day Holiday

Canola futures finished slightly higher on Thursday as the market returned from the Canada Day holiday a day earlier. Modest gains in crude oil provided some support for vegetable oils and helped lift canola, while mixed movement in Chicago soybeans and soyoil kept the advance restrained. Crude oil settled marginally higher Thursday on short covering ahead of the U.S. holiday weekend. Trading was relatively cautious, however, as market participants adjusted positions ahead of another holiday interruption. U.S. markets will be closed Friday for the Independence Day holiday, reducing direction from Chicago until trading resumes next week. Prairie weather also remained a background influence, with excessive moisture in some areas supporting crop concerns, although generally favourable conditions elsewhere and Canada’s larger projected canola acreage limited the upside. November was up 41.20 at $736.50, and January added $1.50 to $745.40.

Manitoba Crops Holding Up Amid Wet Conditions

Manitoba crops remain in generally good condition, even as isolated thunderstorms brought hail, strong winds, intense rain to portions of the province this past week. According to Tuesday’s weekly crop report, weekly rainfall totals ranged from just 2 mm to more than 123 mm, with the heaviest amounts reported near San Clara, Roblin, Waskada, Minnedosa, Manitou and the southern Interlake. Parts of the Northwest have now received more than 150% of normal precipitation since May 1, while the Stonewall area is approaching 250% of normal. Even so, winter wheat and fall rye are flowering and showing strong yield potential, the report said, while spring cereals range from tillering to the flag-leaf stage. Canola development varies widely from the two-leaf stage to early flowering, and soybeans are mostly between the first and fourth trifoliate stages. Excess moisture remains the main concern, particularly in the Northwest, Interlake and low-lying parts of the Southwest. Standing water,

Fireworks, Flavor, and a 250th Birthday: How to Keep Cookout Favorites Food Safe All Holiday Weekend

In preparation for America’s 250th Anniversary on the Fourth of July, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) provides tips for practicing safe food handling when grilling and hosting outdoor gatherings. “The summer heat increases food safety risks, but simple steps can prevent foodborne illness from outdoor gatherings,” advises Under Secretary for Food Safety Dr. Mindy Brashears. “Keeping perishables in coolers or insulated containers, following a two-hour rule (or one hour when temperatures are above 90 F), and grilling meats to safe internal temperatures are easy ways to protect friends and family from harmful bacteria as we all celebrate America’s 250th birthday.” Here are some recommendations for safe outdoor food preparation and serving: Marinating Always marinate meat in the refrigerator, never on the counter or at room temperature. Marinade used on raw meat or poultry must be boiled for a few minutes to destroy any harmful bacte

© 2026   Created by Darren Marsland.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service