BUILDING MOMENTUM He was also a driving force behind the formation of the Canadian Forage and Grassland Association, which honoured Robertson last year with its leadership award. “We wanted to be able to share ideas across the country,” he says. “Also, to get federal funding and to get into trade missions, we had to have a national organization.” Once that was secured, fact-finding missions to places like the Middle East and China soon followed. “We are now exporting hay from Grey County and Ontario to the Middle East,” he says. BACK HOME Grey-Bruce Farmers’ Week (GBFW) — a high point in Ontario’s agricultural calendar — was nearly shut down with the local government office closure. However, area farm organizations were determined to continue the educational event and appointed Robertson to co-ordinate. In addition, the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association tapped him to be the communications coordinator for the Georgian Central Region, encompassing the counties of Grey, Bruce, Dufferin, Simcoe South, and Simcoe North. Lorie Smith has since taken over the reins for leading the organization of GBFW, expanding the programming, and building sponsorships over the years. This is in addition to the ongoing, yearround work she and the staff of Grey Ag Services do for farmers. “It’s wonderful that Ray’s work is being acknowledged,” she says. “Grey Ag Services wouldn’t exist if he hadn’t started it,” she adds. “Over the years, if he sees a challenge, he’ll work through it, coming up with an idea, getting support from his wide network of contacts and pushing ahead.” Robertson says that Grey Ag Services is his proudest achievement — one he is quick to share with the centre’s staff, including Lorie, Patricia Ellingwood and Emily McKague, as well as Keith and Joni Reid, who co-ordinate the ALUS program in Grey-Bruce, Joan McKinley, who continues to be the communications coordinator for the OFC, Grey County Council and many others who have worked with him. “The ag centre has been the vehicle that I could use to achieve the things I wanted to do,” he says. The Ontario Forage Council is a close second on his list of proud accomplishments. “Being nominated by your peers is most gratifying,” he says. “And being told the ag services and programs you helped build will benefit Ontario’s and Canada’s agriculture industry into the future is truly humbling.” Robertson was inducted into the Ontario Agricultural Hall of Fame in June 2023 and will be officially inducted into the Canadian Agricultural Hall of Fame at a November 2023 ceremony. l ONTARIO GRAIN FARMER 31 OCTOBER 2023 “Over the years, if he sees a challenge, he’ll work through it, coming up with an idea, getting support from his wide network of contacts and pushing ahead.”
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