The Kent County Agricultural Hall of Fame announced its four nominees for its 2022 class on Monday night.
This year’s inductees include Wheatley’s Kim Cooper, who has provided history in the local agriculture industry, including field and foreign diplomacy affairs. Known as “The Ag Guy,” Cooper has produced a wealth of agricultural information and guidance for many groups, organizations, and committees, and has helped local businesses grow and expand into the global marketplace. he has also educated and informed the public through columns in newspapers, farm magazines, and commentaries on local radio programs.
Dresden’s Dennis Jackson is hailed as a champion of high quality Ontario food grade soybeans, and worked to capture premium markets for local growers. He recognized the extra value for growers from the newest genetics and benefits to quality, yield, and research at certified seed offered. Jackson is also committed to sponsorship and community involvement and support of community infrastructure projects.
Raleigh Township’s George Denys is being recognized as an educated and well-informed leader. Denys supported both local and Canadian agriculture through his efforts to create crop insurance, promote farming education events, find farm labour, researching innovations for farming, and being an advocate for all residents while on Raleigh Township Council.
The late Dr. Ron Pitblado is the final inductee in the Class of 2022. Pitblado taught thousands of students at Ridgetown Campus of the University of Guelph, sharing his excitement for the development of insect and disease strategies for horticultural crops. He developed BeetCast to help sugar beet production, TomCast for tomato production, and helped develop the Ontario Weather Network.
Alice Uher, vice chair of the Kent County Agricultural Hall of Fame said all four nominees have provided a positive influence on agriculture in Chatham-Kent and beyond.
The four men will officially be inducted into the Hall of Fame during a luncheon on November 22 at the Hidden Hills Golf and Country Club.