Middlesex County Agricultural Hall of Fame Announces 2022 Inductees
Western Fair District is pleased and proud to serve as the home for the Middlesex County Agriculture Hall of Fame.
The Middlesex County Agricultural Hall of Fame, founded in 2000, recognizes the history and tradition of agriculture in Middlesex County. The primary objective of the Agricultural Hall of Fame is to recognize those who have demonstrated unselfish achievements within the realm of agriculture and service to the rural community in Middlesex County and beyond.
A yearly induction ceremony is held every March. To follow COVID-19 guidelines and to continue to honour the inductees as we have in the past, we will not host the 2021 MCAHF AGM & Induction Ceremony.
For More Information Contact:
Middlesex County Agricultural Hall of Fame
Hugh Fletcher, Chair
hughfletcher@sympatico.ca
(519) 666-1572
General Inquiries
info@middlesexfederation.ca
2020 INDUCTEES
William F. Bradish
WILLIAM F. BRADISH (1899-1996) – Born and raised in Westminster Township, Bill was a well-respected cattle drover. His work in developing the export market for dairy cattle, especially Holsteins strengthened herds in Quebec, the US, Mexico, Cuba and the UK. Bill was known for his honesty, integrity and his handshake - which was his word. It was as firm as any signed agreement. He was actively involved in the community; as a Board Member and Warden of Christ Church in Glanworth, a 50 year member of the Order of Odd Fellows, and as a School Trustee. In 1985, the Bradish Farm hosted the International Plowing Match for Elgin County. There are many farm families in this area who were impacted by Bill’s dedication to helping those families start dairy herds. With this nomination, Bill is being acknowledged for the influence he had in the area, but more importantly the support he gave to families and farms near and far.
J. Russel & Ruth Simpson
J. RUSSEL (born in 1926) & RUTH (born in 1929) SIMPSON – Russel was born near Ridgetown, the son of a renowned livestock man; J. Willard Simpson. At the age of 19, he took over the management of the family farm after the death of his parents. Shortly after, he purchased a farm in Glencoe and in 1949 began his married life with Ruth. This couple was ambitious, with hard work and resourcefulness they were able to expand their family operation; they were known to say “the eggs and cream paid for the groceries, beef cattle paid the mortgage and the pigs paid the rest of the bills”. The Simpsons began a flock of purebred Oxfords, as well as having a herd of Angus cattle. Russel has been involved in numerous agricultural organizations; Soil & Crop, a founding member of the Southwestern Ontario Oxford breeders, local 4-H clubs, and along with Ruth; the Glencoe Fair Board. The Simpsons exhibited at the RAWF, winning many prestigious awards; most recently winning both Supreme Champion Ram and Champion Oxford Get of Sire in 2018. This nomination celebrates Russel’s character, philosophy, involvements and innovative attitude, with his life-partner Ruth always at his side.
Laurie Stanton
LAURIE STANTON (born in 1949) – The Stanton Family has been dairy farming in Middlesex County for nearly seventy years. After graduating from the University of Guelph, Laurie returned to the family farm at Hyde Park. As the city of London grew, the Stanton’s moved the farm closer to Ilderton in 2006. This was an opportunity to develop a state-of-the-art facility and environmentally sustainable dairy farm. Working with researchers and universities, Laurie was able to design technologies to maximize efficiencies and minimize environmental impact. The Stanton herd has produced high-quality cattle, in Ontario, Canada and around the world. With this nomination, Laurie’s contribution to agriculture through innovation and genetic development is being recognized.
ARCHIVES
HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES
Name |
Year Honoured |
Biography |
|
|
Cuddy, Alfred McInroy |
2000 | Biography | |
| Broadwell, Charles E. | 2007 | Biography | |
| Earley, George Graham | 2007 | Biography | |
| Edwards, Alice Catherine | 2009 | Biography | |
| Riddell, William Keith | 2000 | Biography | |
| Stewart, William Atcheson | 2000 | Biography | |
| Grieve, William Richard | 2001 | Biography | |
| Hutton, Ken and Dora | 2001 | Biography | |
| Laidlaw, George Wallace | 2001 | Biography | |
| Filson, Hugh | 2002 | Biography | |
| Hughes, John (Bert) | 2002 | Biography | |
| Whale, I. B. | 2002 | Biography | |
| Dixon, Andrew | 2003 | Biography | |
| Long, Gerry and Renie | 2003 | Biography | |
| Twynstra, Peter | 2003 | Biography | |
| Frank, William C. | 2008 | Biography | |
| Gates, Marion | 2006 | Biography | |
| Guest, Emily Jane | 2005 | Biography | |
| Hardy, Clarence Alfred | 2005 | Biography | |
| Lewis, Fred | 2004 | Biography | |
| McDonald, David | 2005 | Biography | |
| McGugan, Evan | 2009 | Biography | |
| Patrick, Joseph H | 2008 | Biography | |
| Pretty, Dr. Kenneth | 2007 | Biography | |
| Robson, Tom E | 2006 | Biography | |
| Saunders, Sir Charles Edward | 2004 | Biography | |
| Shore, Hardy & Robert “Bob” | 2008 | Biography | |
| Stewart, Alex M. & John A. | 2006 | Biography | |
| Switzer, Dr. Clayton | 2009 | Biography | |
| White, George | 2004 | Biography | |
| Zavitz, Dr. Charles | 2010 | Biography | |
| Prestage, Robert “Bob” A. | 2010 | Biography | |
| Strybosch, John | 2010 | Biography | |
| Ferguson, Ralph | 2011 | Biography | |
| William, Weld | 2011 | Biography | |
| Heard, Richard | 2011 | Biography | |
| Bedggood, Robert | 2012 | Biography | |
| Carling, Sir John | 2012 | Biography | |
| Saunders, William | 2012 | Biography | |
| Beck, Sir Adam | 2013 | Biography | |
| The Herbert Family (Bill, Ruth & Jack) | 2013 | Biography | |
| Seelster Farms and Van Bussel Family | 2013 | Biography | |
| T. Alex Edwards | 2014 | Biography | |
| Peter Lewington | 2014 | Biography | |
| James Murby | 2014 | Biography | |
| Tom Bradish | 2015 | Biography | |
| Roy Jewell | 2015 | Biography | |
|
Arthur Blashill |
2016 | Biography | |
| Dorinda Greenway | 2016 | Biography | |
| Kenneth Patterson | 2016 | Biography | |
| Richard Albert & Henry Noel Gibson | 2017 | Biography | |
| Dr. Donald Guest Grieve | 2017 | Biography | |
| Meredith Robb | 2017 | Biography | |
| Duncan Campbell | 2018 | Biography | |
| Jack Campbell | 2018 | Biography | |
| John Campbell | 2018 | Biography | |
| JJ Johnson | 2018 | Biography | |
| Colonel Robert McEwen | 2019 | Biography | |
| Willibrordus & Suzanne Heeman | 2019 | Biography | |
| Jack & Bea Phillips | 2019 | Biography | |
| William F. Bradish | 2020 | Biography | |
| J. Russel & Ruth Simpson | 2020 | Biography | |
| Laurie Stanton | 2020 | Biography |
