News Releases

FINCH, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Sept. 17, 2015) - BMO Bank of Montreal and the Ontario Plowmen's Association will recognize the achievements of ten Ontario families at the annual BMO Ontario Farm Family Awards at the International Plowing Match & Rural Expo in Finch, Ontario on Saturday, September 26, 2015.

The BMO Ontario Farm Family Awards recognize the outstanding contributions made by farmers across the province. The Awards are an exciting way for the community to come together to celebrate these exceptional families, as well as show support to the increasingly important urban-rural relationship. The winning families will be treated to a day of Plowing Match events, as well as a plaque presentation, lunch and a family photograph session.

2015 BMO Ontario Farm Family Award Recipients

Farm Name	Family Name	Farm Location
Breukelman's Potato Farm	Breukelman Family	Thunder Bay, ON
Briscoelea Farms	Briscoe Family	Renfrew, ON
Fraegrove Holsteins	Fraser Family	Elora, ON
YU Ranch	Gilvesy Family	Tillsonburg, ON
Limestone Organic Creamery - Limestone Stables	Groenewegen Family	Elginburg, ON
Haanover View Farms	Haan Family	Marysville, ON
Markvale Holsteins	Markus Family	Beachville, ON
Birch Lawn Farms Ltd.	Terpstra Family	Atwood, ON
Toppview Farms	Topp Family	Dunnville, ON
Van Engelen Dairy Farms Ltd.	Van Engelen Family	Thedford, ON

"BMO Ontario Farm Family Awards are a great way for us to recognize and show gratitude for the tremendous commitment these ten families have made to the industry and their communities," said Sandra Henderson, Senior Vice President, Eastern Ontario Division, BMO Bank of Montreal. "BMO has a longstanding history of supporting Canada`s agricultural community and we congratulate these families on their incredible achievements."

Additionally, throughout the duration of the International Plowing Match and Rural Expo, September 22-26, BMO will host a BMO Kids' Zone daily from 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. featuring fun, educational and interactive games complete with giveaways. BMO will also host the second annual BMO Kids' Day, a special day at the Plowing Match that will be dedicated to learning, fun and entertainment for children under the age of 16, on September 26.

Who:	Sandra Henderson, Senior Vice-President, Eastern Ontario Division, BMO Bank of Montreal
	Cathy Lasby, Executive Director, Ontario Plowmen's Association
What:	2015 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:	14939 Concession 3-4, Finch, ON
	BMO Tent and the Main Stage

BMO Kids' Day at the International Plowing Match

For the second year at the International Plowing Match, an entire day of events and activities focused exclusively on kids will take place at BMO Kids' Day on Saturday, September 26^th. 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 it first began working with farmers. Today, BMO enjoys a well-founded reputation for providing customized loan and deposit solutions to Canada's agri-business owners, the single largest core commercial sector that the bank serves. BMO Bank of Montreal offers programs and products including a specialized farm-equipment line of credit, flexible farm mortgages, BMO's Agri ReadiLine and loans under the Canadian Agricultural Loans Act.

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 approximately $672 billion as of July 31, 2015, and more than 47,000 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.