Three new names have officially been added to the Kent Agricultural Hall of Fame.
The 2019 Kent Agricultural Hall of Fame induction ceremony took place on Tuesday at the new Hidden Hills Golf and Country Club. Individuals are recognized for their long-term commitment to agriculture and rural living in Chatham-Kent.
This year, three people were inducted including Raleigh Township resident Dianne Flook. Flook was recognized for her efforts in advocating for sustainable farming practices and creating a better understanding and appreciation of agricultural practices.
Flook has been involved in the industry her whole life and said she was in disbelief over her induction.
"We're so excited," she said. "Our whole family is. We're completely surprised, thrilled and honoured."
When asked what one of her proudest accomplishments has been in her career thus far, she said it was creating something that the community can enjoy.
"My siblings and I donated two acres right on the Thames River, part of the family farm, to be used as public access for people," she explained. "It's called Parry Landing, it's a park. It's for passive recreation."
Also inducted into the hall of fame was Dr. Norman R. Brander, a resident of Chatham highly regarded within the Candian Seed Industry and within the Chatham-Kent soybean growers community as the "father of private soybean breeding in Canada." In addition to Brander and Flook, Ridgetown resident Dr. Peter H. Sikkema was inducted for his work around controlling resistant weeds in fields in order to maximize crop management.
Since 1989, over 180 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. Although most people who get inducted have decades of experience, Flook said she has some advice for anyone just starting out in the industry.
"[Today, we are] a five-generation farm. It's very difficult to do but we're thrilled," she said. "Work with the accountants, [Farm Credit Canada] was amazing to us. Stick with it, you can do it."