32 THE ONTARIO AGRICULTURAL Hall of Fame has been honouring the outstanding achievements and contributions made by leaders to the growth and development of Ontario’s agriculture and agri-food industry. In 2023, 11 individuals will be inducted in a ceremony at the Grandway Events Centre in Elora, Ontario, on June 11, bringing the number of inductees recognized since 1980 to 256. “Our Board of Directors was overwhelmed by the number of nomination packages received for consideration last year,” says Nick Whyte, president of the Ontario Agricultural Hall of Fame Association. “This level of interest really shows the importance that the agricultural industry places on recognizing its leaders — both past and present.” 2023 INDUCTEES INCLUDE: Dale Cowan (1953 - ) is a widely respected leader in Ontario agriculture with a career of over 40 years. A Certified Crop Advisor (CCA) since 1997, he has advised growers of numerous crops, has mentored many new CCAs and has reviewed crop recommendations spanning 275,000 acres. Through his extensive volunteer activities, Dale has become the “go-to” person when it comes to associations and government looking for an agronomist to provide balanced, sciencebased and practical input. He is known for his exploration of the newest technology and has also been instrumental in the development and promotion of sustainable agronomy and precision farming practices throughout Ontario. Dale Cowan was nominated by the Ontario Certified Crop Advisor Association. Carleton Mackinnon (Mack) Emiry (1940 - ) is a dairy farmer who has dedicated his life to the advancement of agriculture in Ontario, Ontario Agricultural Hall of Fame ELEVEN LEADERS TO BE RECOGNIZED IN JUNE CEREMONY Ontario Grain Farmer and his contributions are far-reaching. His greatest passion in agriculture is soil health, and his objective has always been to leave the soil in an improved condition for the following generations. His work as chair of the Land Stewardship Committee evolved into work that led to the development of the Environmental Farm Plan. He has also provided a much-needed voice to many agricultural discussions on behalf of Northern Ontario. Organizations benefiting from his commitment include the Manitoulin West Sudbury Milk Producers’ Association, Ontario Federation of Agriculture, Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association and the provincial Nutrient Management Advisory Committee. Mack Emiry was nominated by the Manitoulin North Shore Federation of Agriculture. Ray Robertson (1943 – ) has demonstrated great leadership within the agricultural community to help it adapt to changing economic, environmental, and political realities and needs. He has helped to grow an appreciation for the role of forage crops on farms to promote soil health and conservation, was instrumental in forming the Canadian Forage and Grasslands Association and served withthe Ontario Forage Council and the Ontario Hay and Forage Cooperative. His Industry News OTHER 2023 INDUCTEES INCLUDE: • David Biesenthal (1943 - ), veterinarian and beef farmer. • Dr. Richard Frank (1928 – 2021), co-creator and director of the first pesticide testing lab in Ontario. • Brian Gilroy (1956 – ), an apple grower near Georgian Bay. • Peter Gould (1951 –), former general manager of Dairy Farmers of Ontario. • Carolynne Griffith (1942 –), former chair of Egg Farmers of Ontario. • Robert James Scott (1900 – 1946), leader of the United Farmers’ Co-operative of Ontario. • Tarlok Singh Sahota (1953 –), researcher and director, Lakehead University Agricultural Research Station. DALE COWAN. CARLETON MACKINNON.
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