Crieff / Knox Church / Crieff Postmasters / Crieff School

CRIEFF FARMERS' CLUB (1919-1927) 

On February 6, 1919 a meeting was held at Crieff, Ontario to form a farmers' club for the purpose of taking action to improve the profitability of agricultural farming to a reasonable level. This group was called the Crieff Club, later designated as the Crieff Branch of the United Farmers of Ontario. Individual  farmers could buy shares in UFO (incorporated).

About the same time similar groups were formed in nearby communities such as Badenoch, Mountsburg and Clyde. The initial purpose of the Crieff Club was to purchase farm supplies in large quantities to reduce costs. In addition to local suppliers some purchases of seed were made  from Farmers Cooperative Co., Toronto. There were group livestock shipments into carload quantities, and the club could borrow funds for 'working capital' and provide for shipping insurance and other requirements. These `groups' supported candidates for the U.F.O.' party' in Ontario elections. However the Crieff group did not favour having farming candidates in Federal elections. Members attended meetings of the UFO and other organizations concerned with  improving farming operations and profitability

They frequently sent petitions to governments  on matters such as tariffs, highways, grain terminal elevators and taxation. They also wrote to the Canadian Pacific Railway suggesting improvements at the Puslinch station. The Club installed a farmer's scale at the station. They cooperated with other clubs in the area on carload shipments of livestock and other matters. Entry teams and judges were organized to participate in stock-judging competitions.

The Crieff Club normally met monthly and had an annual audit of funds and election of officers. They also organized sport contests, debates and community picnics and banquets. Latterly the picnics were held in conjunction with Crieff School Section picnics. The officers, directors and auditors of the club were: Allan Stewart, James Blake, Fred Roszell, David McNaughton,  Angus D.McPherson, Robert McRobbie, James A.McPherson,  Duncan McAllister, John Sawyer, Charles Martin, Donald Stewart, Andrew Scott and Angus McDonnell.