Peter L. Smith
LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE

L’ISLE-AUX-ALLUMETTES – The Chapeau Agricultural Society held its annual general meeting on Wednesday, March 5 at the Chapeau Farmers Market.

The 2025 board of directors includes Maureen Moss, Justin O’Brien, Edith Lair, Gene O’Brien, Peter Smith, Adele Varner, Sabrina Lafontaine, Evelyn Manley, Donna Gagnon, Nancy Price, and Luanne Sullivan.

The executive positions are as follows:
President – Gene O’Brien;
Vice-President – Edith Lair;
Secretary – Nancy Price;
Treasurer – Evelyn Manley.

President O’Brien highlighted improvements to the Farmers Market building, including a new floor and signage. She reviewed the year’s accomplishments, noting financial assistance from Emploi Quebec to hire a market employee, along with support from Economic Development Canada, the Regions and Rurality Fund (FRR), MRC Pontiac, the Municipality of L’Isle-aux-Allumettes, Caisse Desjardins des Rivières de Pontiac Chapeau, and CISSSO for the Small Steps Towards the Market program.

The SADC Pontiac sponsored a table for young entrepreneurs and provided funding for activities. O’Brien also mentioned the completion of drainage and landscaping projects on the grounds for 2025. Another ongoing project aims to develop a tourism kiosk at the market in collaboration with local municipalities, which will provide maps, information, and merchandise to promote the region.

“Going into 2025 and some very troubling times, I want to promote agricultural activities, our community garden, support local producers and, even more importantly, support all Canadian products,” emphasized O’Brien.

Photo – The new Chapeau Farmer Market building, opened in August 2024.