About Us

The Ontario Agricultural Hall of Fame gallery has a new location.  It is now situated on the ground floor of 1 Stone Road West, Guelph, Ontario in the hallway leading to the conference rooms and cafeteria.  The gallery wall showcases recent inductees and acknowledges our sponsors.

The Ontario Agricultural Hall of Fame Association was incorporated in 1979 as a charitable organization. The Hall of Fame opened June 1, 1980 with the induction of nine pioneer agriculturists (all deceased) who represented more than 100 years of combined efforts and initiatives in building a better agriculture for the province. Currently 262 individuals have been inducted into the Ontario Agricultural Hall of Fame (OAHF).

MISSION

It is the mission of the Ontario Agricultural Hall of Fame Association to acknowledge, record and preserve the contributions made by leaders to the growth and development of Ontario's agriculture and agri-food industry.

OBJECTIVES

The Association's objectives are as follows:

  1. to establish and maintain a gallery to be known as the Ontario Agricultural Hall of Fame;
  2. to prescribe standards for recognition in the Ontario Agricultural Hall of Fame;
  3. to direct all activities pertaining to the selection of the persons eligible for recognition;
  4. to display, in an appropriate manner, information pertaining to persons selected for recognition in the Ontario Agricultural Hall of Fame; and
  5. to accept donations, gifts, legacies and bequests for the purpose of the objectives.

The affairs of the Association are managed by a 15-person volunteer Board of Directors elected from and by the membership.

Directors

Eric Bowman

Kelly Daynard
Patricia Ellingwood

Roger George
Kathryn Goodish

Ian Harrop

Frank Hoftzyer

Jean Howden
Tim May
Paul Nairn

Alan Rickard

Jean Sullivan

Marilyn Sewell

Peter Sikkema

Nick Whyte

Secretary/treasurer

Susan Fitzgerald

PRESIDENTS

William S. Kilmer 1978 - 1980
Dr. R.J. McDonald 1980 - 1981
Prof. P.W. Burke 1981 - 1982
Ross T. Farr 1982 - 1983
Robert Bell 1983 - 1984
Art Peppin 1984 - 1985
David Pallett 1985 - 1986
Reford Gardhouse 1986 - 1987
Kenneth E. Lantz 1987 - 1988
Joseph Snyder 1988 - 1989
John H. Gillespie 1989 - 1990
Cindy Lindsay 1990 - 1991
Clifford Morrow 1991 - 1992
David Pelletterio 1992 - 1993
John Brown 1993 - 1994
Clayton M. Switzer 1994 - 1995
Herb Norry 1995 - 1996
Ron Coutts 1996 - 1997
Maisie Lasby 1997 - 1998
John Cockburn 1998 - 1999
Francis Jose 1999 - 2000
Murray Gaunt 2000 - 2001
Jean Bennett 2001 - 2002
Stanley Young 2002 - 2003
Jack Riddell 2003 - 2004
Robert Taylor (deceased) 2004 - 2005
Rodger Schwass 2004 - 2005
Rodger Schwass 2005 - 2006
John Benham 2006 - 2007
Robert Aumell 2007 - 2008
Fred Lewis 2008 - 2009
Paulette Samson 2009 - 2010
John McIntosh 2010 - 2011
Peter Twynstra 2011 - 2012
Deborah Whale 2012 - 2013
Rob Black 2013 - 2014
Brenda Trask 2014 - 2015
Barry Fraser 2015 - 2016
Mary Lynn McPherson 2016 - 2017
John Kikkert 2017 - 2018
Carolyn Fuerth 2018 - 2019
John Core 2019 - 2020
Deb Stark 2020 - 2021
Kelly Daynard 2021 - 2022
Nick Whyte 2022 - 2023
Kathryn Goodish 2023 -2024
Jean Sullivan 2024 - 2025