GUELPH — The Ontario Agricultural Hall of Fame (OAHF) is set to induct five individuals who have made an impact on Ontario agriculture and beyond.
Paul Kelly, Patrick Lynch, Patricia Mighton, James Rickard, and Dr. Patricia Shewen will be inducted June 12 based on their life-long commitments to Ontario’s agriculture, the organization says in a Feb. 7 press release announcing the 2022 inductees.
Their influences range from the bee industry, agronomy and crop consulting, agricultural education and organizational development, conflict resolution and tribunal leadership, to veterinary medicine and research.
The coming ceremony at at the GrandWay Events Centre in Elora will bring the total number of inductees to 245.
To qualify for this prestigious recognition, inductees must have shown visionary leadership, innovation, and entrepreneurship. Selections are made by the Ontario Agricultural Hall of Fame Association.
“Our board of directors was delighted by the caliber of the nominees and the number of nomination packages received for consideration this year,” Association president Kelly Daynard said.
“It’s always a humbling experience to review the nomination packages and make the final selections, and this year was no different. It’s never an easy decision to choose, but we are confident that these five inductees have all left a lasting legacy on Ontario agriculture.”
The 2022 inductees (along with brief biographies provided by the OAHF) appear below:
Paul Kelly (1958 – )
Paul Kelly is an outstanding contributor to the Ontario bee industry and consequently to Ontario agriculture. He has managed the Honey Bee Research Centre (HBRC) at the University of Guelph since 1987. This includes managing over 300 bee colonies. He also sells his personal bee stock to new and experienced beekeepers across Ontario. This is important work as so much of our food depends on pollinators to sustain crop quality and yields, worth at least $400 million annually to Ontario agriculture. Paul has developed methods and innovations to counteract some complex stresses, diseases and pests, and is an internationally acclaimed bee expert known for his abilities as a gifted speaker, teacher and extensionist. Paul is effectively educating the world as a global thought leader in pollinator education and research. Paul currently serves on the Pollination and Apiculture Advisory Committee of Ontario and on the Ontario Animal Health Network Apiculture Committee along with involvement and membership in several additional bee and honey related organizations.
Paul Kelly was nominated by Ontario Agricultural College, University of Guelph.
Patrick Lynch (1946 – )
Pat Lynch began his career as an agronomy professional in 1973, working as a soils and crops specialist with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food. There, he introduced new crop production techniques, initiating soybean production in new regions, promoting direct cut solid seeded white beans, colaunching a pesticide course (the current Grower Pesticide Safety Course), and starting county newsletters.
He was a senior agronomist with Cyanamid Canada, where he significantly initiated a crop consulting service in Ontario. In 2008, he became anindependent consultant directly consulting withgrowers. He coauthors a weekly agronomy newsletter and has been writing a regular column in other magazines and newspapers for 40 years. Pat has a passion for extension work and is known as an excellent presenter and debater. Pat helped to introduce the Certified Crop Advisor Program to Ontario through development of performance objectives and the CCA examination. This certification program now includes over 650 professional crop advisors.
Patrick Lynch was nominated by Ontario Certified Crop Advisor Association.
Patricia L. Mighton (1942 – )
Pat Mighton has been a dynamic force in Ontario agriculture through her advocacy, leadership in agricultural education, and fundraising work. Her leadership role began as class secretary for OAC ‘64, a role she has maintained for nearly six decades. Pat was the University of Guelph’s first female president of the OAC Alumni Association, chair of the OAC Alumni Foundation (OACAF), served on the U of G Senate, and a member of the International and Awards Committees. In 1984, Pat joined the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture as education specialist. She was responsible for coordinating the Agriculture in the Classroom program in its early days.
Her efforts were invaluable in creating what is now known as AgScape Ontario. Her life work in agricultural education and organizational development continued as the Rural Organization Specialist for the Region of Waterloo. Pat was the executive director of the Advanced Agricultural Leadership Program (1987-97) where she led this unique, disciplined, leadership opportunity for people working in agriculture and rural Ontario. AALP is now in its 36th year with 480 alumni in many positions of leadership in the agriculture, food, and rural sectors
Patricia Mighton was nominated by Rural Ontario Institute.
James G. Rickard (1943 – )
James Rickard’s impressive background of business and professional accomplishments have well served many agricultural organizations around Ontario over the past four decades. He is a successful businessman, operating a 1300-acre diversified farm operation in Bowmanville, with his brother. Jim is also a trained facilitator and arbitrator, providing professional consultation for dispute resolution for individuals and grower associations. He is known for his integrity and fairness and his ability to foster unity among diverse interests. Jim has been involved in Ontario Apple Growers Marketing Board; Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers’ Association; Farm Products Appeal Tribunal; and Ontario Broiler Hatching Egg and Chick Commission (OBHECC). With his efforts, Ontario has set the standard of service of adjudication, ensuring that Ontario agriculture operates on principles of justice and fairness. He helped to resolve many conflicting points of view to enable the agricultural industry in Ontario move forward efficiently and profitably. James Rickard was nominated by Ontario Broiler Hatching Egg and Chick Commission (OBHECC).
Dr. Patricia E. Shewen (1949 – )
Dr. Patricia Shewen (BSc DVM, MSc, PhD) was a professor at the Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph from 1982-2011. She was the first female Assistant Dean of Research and Graduate Affairs, the inaugural chair of the Department of Pathobiology and currently the associate editor of the Canadian Journal of Veterinary Research. In 1988, after more than 10yearsof research and trials,
Pat and colleague Dr.Bruce Wilkie, developed a vaccine to control bovine pneumonic pasteurellosis or ‘shipping fever’. The vaccine addressed shipping losses and led to the substantial reduction in the use of antibioticsin cattle. Dr. Shewen has published or co-published over 100 additional research papers in ruminant immunology. She is well known for herthoughtful mentoring of graduate students, and the young veterinary students at OVC. She taught immunology to DVM students for 25 years and wasthe principal advisor for over 30 graduate students and post docs.
Dr. Patricia Shewen was nominated by Dr.Harry Brightwell and the Rotary Club of Stratford.
The 2022 induction ceremony will take place on Sunday, June 12, 2022. As long as public policy permits, it will be a hybrid format with the live ceremony held
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. To date, 240 worthy candidates have been inducted into the Hall of Fame gallery. www.oahf.on.ca.
Organizers plan a hybrid induction ceremony, both in-person (if allowed) and virtual. See further details at www.oahf.on.ca as June 12 approaches.
