Four new names have officially been added to the Kent Agricultural Hall of Fame.
The induction ceremony took place on November 13 at the Country View Golf Course, where several people attended to recognize those who have demonstrated remarkable achievements in the local rural and agriculture community.
George and Ruth Bieber were posthumously honoured for their efforts in educating the next generation of farmers. Also inducted was Dr. Art Schaafsma, a cash crop farmer, author and speaker, who has become known for his world-class agriculture research and has consulted on insect and disease management strategies provincially, nationally and globally. The final inductee was Robert Kerr, a Harvard graduate with a passion for producing healthy organic food with a strong focus on growing beef raised without hormones.
Kerr's induction is a family affair as his father Lawrence Kerr and uncle George Kerr were inducted in 1989 and 2000, respectively. Kerr's father founded Kerr Farms in 1934. Robert and his wife took over the 1,430 acre Chatham farm 47 years ago and it has steadily remained one of the top employers in the area.
"I love farming and I've spent my whole life doing it," Kerr said. "I look at this as an accumulation of my enthusiasm for agriculture and I'm greatly honoured."
Although Palmyra-area couple George and Ruth Bieber are deceased, their family attended the event on their behalf and to see their legacy recognised. Both George and Ruth dedicated most of their lives to helping their farm-based community through various initiatives including hand knitting clothes for the Highland Red Cross Society and founding the Highland District Legion Brand #355.
"Seeing that they are being recognised is an honour," said Biebers' daughter Sue MacDonald. "They would've been very humbled by it. They [were] very humble and down to earth people who don't like having recognition made of themselves, but I think most of the community would be behind this because they were a big part of it."
Since 1989, 186 people have been inducted into the hall of fame. Inductees are nominated by members of the community and then selected by the Kent Agricultural Hall of Fame Board of Directors.
"It's important that all of Chatham-Kent understand the valuable contributions that are made which will help them understand the valuable opportunities that are available in this municipality for all the citizens," said Hall of Fame Chairman Lynn Girty.