The Peterborough County Celebration of Agriculture was held on Saturday, February 8, 2024. There were approx 80 guests in attendance who enjoyed a delicious meal and socializing with friends. Several awards were presented that evening, including the Long Standing Commitment Award, presented by the Peterborough County Cattlemen, to Paul McMahon and Family, Starfra Feeds. Congratulations!!
The following are the speaking notes from Mike Fallis, Past President - Peterborough County Cattlemen, who made the presentation:
If you know me, you've heard me say "Farm kids are the best and become excellent at anything they pursue". Whether it's through 4-H or being given loads of responsibility at a young age, they become the best leaders in the field they choose.
The person/family I'm about to introduce, started on a path that has been accomplished through determination, making opportunities happen, and a keen vision of what the future requires.
Congratulations to Paul McMahon & Family, StarFra Feeds, this year's recipient of the Long Standing Commitment to the Peterborough County Cattlemen.
I'm going to quickly try to tell everyone about 30 years of growth, about a teenager with a head down, move forward work ethic who became a community focused business leader.
In the mid to late 90's, Paul was busy milking cows at local dairy farms including milking his own cows for a few years as well. Until that time in May of '03 when the cattle business took a huge hit......BSE.
Standing at the proverbial 'Y" in the road, a small building on the corner of County Rd 4 and Douro 9th line, which the family owned, chose which road to take.
Still helping neighbours milk and show cattle, and now hauling gravel from their pit, Paul stepped into the farm supply business. To ensure the need, Paul approached local farmers and then petitioned ShurGain to open a dealership. As these things go, starting wasn't simple, but in May 2004, Paul's 1st employee, Laverne Moore, scribed invoice #1 at Starfra Feeds, for local beef farmer, Larry Leahy. He purchased 2 bags of beef cow mineral and 2 blocks of salt. That particular invoice can be seen framed, proudly displayed at StarFra today.
Business continued to grow due to the unbeatable customer service and the "I think we can do that " attitude.
In 2013, Shurgain purchased Squirrel Creek, which caused an increased customer base for the small store selling to a larger area. With that, the lean to that had been added was no longer sufficient, so in 2017 the attached warehouse was built, since then a second warehouse was built in 2024.
The "I think we can do that attitude" has made StarFra able to handle any commodity feed supply as well as for your wildlife. They also carry products from local producers and businesses. Now with a customer base from the 401 corridor, west to Stayner and east to Brighton, they are passing on our local products to distant customers.
Paul is a community minded business person, and a beef cow/calf producer.
There are currently 9 employees working at Starfra, as well as Paul and Sam. all with a helpful attitude.
Paul is very much involved in our agricultural community, aside from providing our needs. They support many events either by helping out or volunteering time. Paul has been a director on the Peterborough County Cattlemens Association for at least 10 years, working at our East Central Farm Show booth, attending the BFO AGM in Toronto as a voting delegate, helping with our annual barbecue and arranging our bus trip through the Producer Education. At our monthly board meetings, he has a great sense of what our county priorities are. At most events you will see a Starfra sign representing sponsorship in some way. From horse show sponsorships to sponsoring events for Durham and Peterborough Dairy events, Paul enjoys sponsoring local minor hockey and also numerous hockey players.
Just this past year, our Peterborough 4-H Beef club with just about 50 members, Paul supported these beef show members all season with prize sponsorship, getting show supplies they required, delivering a truck load of shavings to a junior show in July as well as paying for meals for the 4H members at our annual barbecue.
Paul has been a consistent buyer supporting the local steer show and sales since 2004.
Thank you Paul, Sam & family for your commitment to your local agriculture, today and in the future.
