Several more pioneers of Chatham-Kent agriculture are set to be inducted into the Kent Agricultural Hall of Fame.
Four individuals have been approved and will be inducted during a ceremony in November.
The list includes Kim Cooper, George Denys, Dennis Jackson and the late Dr. Ron Pitblado.
“The mission of the Hall of Fame is to recognize a person or persons that have demonstrated unselfish achievement within the realm of agriculture and/or service to the rural community of Chatham-Kent and beyond,” municipal officials said through a media release.
Cooper, known locally as the AgGuy, has produced agricultural information and guidance for many groups, organizations and committees, and has helped local businesses to grow and expand into the global marketplace. He has also educated and informed the public through columns in newspapers, farm magazines and radio programs.
Denys has worked to create crop insurance, promote farming education events, find farm labour, research innovations for farming and advocate for all residents during his time on Raleigh Township Council.
Jackson is being recognized for his efforts in promoting high-quality Ontario food-grade soybeans and working to capture premium markets for local growers. He is also committed to sponsorship and community involvement and support of community infrastructure projects.
Meanwhile, Pitblado taught thousands of students at the University of Guelph Ridgetown Campus while sharing his excitement for the development of insect and disease strategies for horticultural crops. He also developed BeetCast to assist sugar beet production, TomCast for tomato production and helped develop the Ontario Weather Network.
The annual ceremony will take place on November 22 at the Hidden Hills Golf and Country Club on Hwy. 40 starting at 11:30 a.m. Tickets are $35 per person and are available by contacting Kathy Vanek at 519-683-2929. The induction ceremony is open to anyone with agricultural or rural interests.
Since its inception in 1989, the Kent Agricultural Hall of Fame has inducted 197 members. The list of inductees can be viewed in the lobby of the Chatham-Kent Civic Centre in Chatham.