Don Winslow Receives Millbrook Agricultural Society’s Lifetime Member for 2019

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Don Winslow accepts this year’s Lifetime Membership Award from Millbrook Agricultural Society President Mike Lang.

The Millbrook Agricultural Society was pleased to award the 2019 Lifetime Member Award to Don Winslow for his contributions to the celebration of rural life at the annual Millbrook Fair.  Don Winslow’s family has been involved in the Millbrook Fair for five generations.  Don’s grandfather Louis was involved in the early days, and Don, his father Clare and his son Colin have all served as Fair Board Presidents.

Don’s farm experience is extensive and varied.  When he took over the family farm on Sharpe Line in Cavan around 1970, the operation was centered on a herd of dual purpose Shorthorn cattle.  By the early ‘70’s it was time for change so new barns and a large silo were built and pigs became the focus of the operation beginning with 100 sows. In order to stay ahead of the game and increase efficiency, the operation grew to 900 sows in the late 90’s and in the late 2000’s Don chose to leave livestock behind, renting out the barns and shifting the focus to growing cash crops.  His children have joined the operation, bringing their fresh ideas and expertise to extend the family farm tradition for another generation.

Don served as president of the Agricultural Society in the early 80’s. Among other things, he helped install the drainage to the parking area at the Fairgrounds. Don would also put on the climbing spikes and climb the wooden light poles to redirect the lights from the old ball diamond to the tractor pull track and then reverse it when the Fair was over.

In recent years, Don and his wife Margaret have enjoyed the Fair as spectators but various pieces of their farm equipment have continued to find their way to the fairgrounds over the past few decades.

Don was delighted to be recognized this year.  While his time on the board was cut short to allow him to focus on the demands of his farm operation, he has fond memories of his time on the Fair Board working with some terrific people who continue to serve the agricultural community.   He is pleased with the direction of the board as they emphasize education; ensuring young people continue to appreciate the importance of agriculture and acknowledged his wife Margaret for her ongoing support for the family and farm operations.   Congratulations, Don!

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