- Annual BMO Ontario Farm Family Awards to be presented

- Fun and interactive learning activities for youth all week at the BMO Kids' Zone

- Free admission and pancake breakfast for children under the age of 16 on BMO Kids' Day, Saturday, September 24 from 8:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.

/EINPresswire.com/ -- BMO Bank of Montreal and the Ontario Plowmen's Association will honour ten farm families at the annual BMO Ontario Farm Family Awards during the International Plowing Match and Rural Expo in Minto, Ontario on Saturday, September 24, 2016.

The BMO Ontario Farm Family Awards recognize the outstanding contributions made by farmers across the province by bringing the community together to celebrate both these exceptional families and the vital urban-rural relationship. The winning families will be treated to a day of Plowing Match events, a plaque presentation, luncheon and family photograph session.

Who:	Julie Barker-Merz, Senior Vice President, South Western Ontario Division, BMO Bank of Montreal
	Cathy Lasby, Executive Director, Ontario Plowmen's Association
What:	2016 BMO Ontario Farm Family Award Ceremony
When:	BMO Ontario Farm Family meet-and-greet, 10:30 a.m. - 11:15 a.m.
	Plaque presentation on main stage, 11:15 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.
	BMO Ontario Farm Family Lunch, 11:45 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
	Family pictures from 12:30 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Where:	9000 Gillespe Lane, Minto (Town of Harriston, ON)
	Edge Mutual Insurance Company Main Stage

2016 BMO Ontario Farm Family Award Recipients

Farm Name	Family Name	Farm Location
Belluz Farms	Belluz Family	Slate River, ON
Beslea Farms Ltd.	Brown Family	Yarker, ON
Connell Farms Inc.	Connell Family	Palmerston, ON
Cronin Family Farms	Cronin Family	Bluevale, ON
Jeffshaven Farms	Jeffs Family	Campbellford, ON
MacKellar Farms	MacKellar Family	Alvinston, ON
McMaze Farm	McDonald Family	St. Andrews West, ON
McGregor's Produce	McGregor Family	Braeside, ON
Larenwood Farms Ltd.	McLaren Family	Drumbo, ON
Ronbeth Holsteins	Warner Family	Hastings, ON

"The BMO Ontario Farm Family Awards are a great way to recognize and honour the outstanding commitment these families have made to the communities in which they live and work," said Julie Barker-Merz, Senior Vice-president, South Western Ontario Division, BMO Bank of Montreal. "BMO has long-supported the Canadian agricultural community, and we congratulate the ten families on all of their hard work and achievements."

BMO Kids' Day at the International Plowing Match

Throughout the duration of the International Plowing Match and Rural Expo, taking place September 20-24, BMO will host a BMO Kids' Zone each day from 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. featuring fun, educational and interactive games and giveaways. In addition, for the third year, an entire day of events and activities focused exclusively on kids will take place at BMO Kids' Day on Saturday, September 24th. Children 16 years and under arriving between 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. will receive free admission to the grounds and will be treated to a free pancake breakfast, while supplies last.

BMO and the International Plowing Match

BMO has been a supporter of the International Plowing Match and Rural Expo since 2007. The sponsorship has since evolved with BMO as a Presenting Partner from 2012 to 2016 inclusive. As part of the partnership, BMO introduced the inaugural Ontario Farm Family Awards. Recognizing farm families is a further demonstration of BMO's commitment to agriculture. BMO also recognizes farm families in southern Alberta annually at the Calgary Stampede.

About BMO and Agriculture

BMO's roots in the Canadian agricultural sector date back to 1817, when the Bank first began working with farmers to support and expand the agricultural industry, which has become a key driver of Canada's economy. Today, BMO provides customized loan, deposit, cash management and card payment solutions to Canada's agri-business owners, the largest core commercial sector that the bank serves.

About BMO Financial Group

Established in 1817, BMO Financial Group is a highly diversified financial services provider based in North America. With total assets of $692 billion as of July 31, 2016, and over 45,000 employees, BMO provides a broad range of retail banking, wealth management and investment banking products and services to more than 12 million customers and conducts business through three operating groups: Personal and Commercial Banking, Wealth Management and BMO Capital Markets.

Media Contacts:
Jessica Leroux, Toronto
(416) 867-3996
jessica.leroux@bmo.com
Internet: www.bmo.com
Twitter: @BMOmedia