HAGERSVILLE — When 18-year-old Matthew Petheram of Hagersville learned that there would be tractors at Ag Day, he knew he wanted to be a part of it. It is just one of the many ways that the Hamilton District Christian High (HDCH) student has completed more than 220 hours of volunteer service.
At his graduation in June, Matthew received the John and Jessie Verduyn Memorial Scholarship. This award goes to an HDCH graduate who shows exceptional effort, passion, humility, and discipline in school while demonstrating the values of humbleness, hard work, dedication to family, and commitment to faith.
Matthew exemplifies these traits as the fifth generation on his family’s cash crop farm in Haldimand-Norfolk. He understands the importance of agriculture and the value of community involvement. He says, “As a community of farmers, we serve others, care for each other, support and help each other, and respect our work and land.”
With this perspective, Ag Day on June 6, 2025 was a fitting way for Matthew to get involved in a large community event. He helped organize the tractor and farm equipment display that included vintage machinery from the Walpole Antique Farm Machinery Association (WAFMA) and some equipment from Petheram Farms Ltd.
“I thought the antique combine would look unique there,” Matthew says of the 1957 Model 45 John Deere combine that his dad restored, displayed next to their 2006 John Deere 9560 for a special comparison. “It’s not common for people to have an antique combine.”
Matthew contributed his 1950 Farmall Super A tractor that he restored with his dad’s help.
He also created QR codes and signs for each item on display. The codes provided details on how the equipment worked, was used, and its function on the farm. This educational component helped fulfill a requirement for a grant Ag Day received. A grant committee member attended and Matthew says, “She saw how (the QR code) was used and thought it was cool.”
Matthew was busy throughout Ag Day, going wherever he was needed. It was a worthwhile experience and he says, “I got my own golf cart and my own walkie-talkie. It was a pretty good day.”
Hagersville 150 committee member Tanya Ribbink speaks highly of Matthew, who previously did a high school co-op placement at her business Rustic & Reclaimed. Ribbink says, “He demonstrated a level of responsibility, commitment, and willingness to learn that was well beyond his years.”
Ribbink has appreciated Matthew’s enthusiasm and professionalism.
“When he later joined the Hagersville 150 Committee as a volunteer for Ag Day, I had no doubt that his loyalty and dedication would be an asset to the team,” Ribbink continues. “It’s no surprise to me that he’s being recognized for his contributions. He truly represents the best of our next generation.”
That sentiment is shared by Police Constable Abby Whitenect, Haldimand County OPP Community Engagement Officer, who met Matthew when he participated in the Haldimand County OPP Youth Citizens Academy. She appreciated his hard work, humility, and dedication to family and community.
Whitenect asked Matthew to help create a farm safety video prior to this year’s spring planting. In the video, Matthew reminds drivers to be prepared to meet heavy farm equipment on the roads. Haldimand was the first OPP detachment to do such a video with a young farmer and the response was positive.
“Our tractor video went viral,” Whitenect relayed to Matthew. “In fact, we had people contact our little detachment from all over the province asking to do something similar. Know that you are the voice of change for your generation.”
In response to this feedback, Matthew says, “It feels like I’m doing my part.”
Matthew also did his part on a school mission trip to the Dominican Republic in March 2024. The group of 10 students helped extend a school playground/basketball court and prepared a 40’ x 40’ area for a concrete surface. Working in temperatures as high as 40ºC, they leveled the ground and laid gravel in preparation for the concrete.
They also engaged with the local students. Matthew says, “They watched from their classrooms then we had a basketball game…. The people of the community appreciated the work that we did.”
In recognition of his volunteerism Matthew received the Lieutenant Governor’s Community Volunteer Award. The award is given to one graduating student at each of Ontario’s secondary schools for going “above and beyond” as a volunteer.
This September, Matthew begins a two-year Agriculture Diploma program at the University of Guelph Ridgetown Campus. He explains, “I will be specializing in crops but will also learn about livestock, business, and resource management.”
The skills that Matthew has developed while balancing academics with work and volunteering will be an asset as he pursues his future as a farmer. He asserts, “Farming is a lot of effort, long hours, and hard work. Farmers are resilient … regardless of the struggles.”
“My passion is to farm for the rest of my life,” Matthew continues. “Just like my dad and grandfather; you can’t take the farming out of them, this is what they were born to do.”
