8 Story Idea? Email Paul.Nolan@Farms.com Better Farming | January 2025 Beyond the Barn Four new members were inducted into the Canadian Agricultural Hall of Fame (CAHFA) during a recent ceremony in Toronto. The 2024 inductees – Dr. Bruce Coulman, Dr. Michael Eskin, Ontario’s Paul Larmer, and Dr. Charles Vincent – were recognized for their groundbreaking contributions to agriculture. Phil Boyd, CAHFA chair, praised the inductees during the ceremony for their remarkable careers, which span various fields, including forage crops, canola, cattle genetics, and entomology. “We are so proud to shine a bright spotlight on the achievements these individuals have made throughout their careers,” said Boyd. Paul Larmer’s leadership in cattle genetics has positioned Canada as a global leader. As the former CEO of Semex Alliance, Larmer played a pivotal role in transforming the company from a Canadian exporter to a major international player in cattle breeding. The past chair of the 4-H Ontario Foundation and the OAC Alumni Association was nominated by Semex. Dr. Bruce Coulman, a renowned forage crop researcher, has spent more than 40 years advancing forage varieties that have shaped the cattle feed industry. His innovations, including bloat-reduced alfalfa and hybrid bromegrass, were crucial in improving the profitability of forage production. Dr. Coulman was nominated by the University of Saskatchewan’s Crop Development Centre. Dr. Michael Eskin, a leading canola researcher, revolutionized canola oil’s quality and stability, helping to establish it as a healthy dietary choice and expanding its global market. His work has had a lasting impact on both the economy and the health of Canadian consumers. Dr. Eskin was nominated by the University of Manitoba. Dr. Charles Vincent, an expert in agricultural entomology, has spent decades researching insect pests, developing sustainable methods to control them. His innovations have significantly reduced the use of chemical insecticides, benefiting crops like apples, grapes, and blueberries. The longtime research scientist with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada was nominated by the Co-Lab R&D division of Ag-Cord Inc. These four inductees join over 250 other members of the hall of fame. BF SEMEX’S LARMER ENTERS HALL OF FAME Paul Larmer at the recent 2024 CAHFA ceremony in Toronto. A FARMING LIFE: PATRICIA HASTINGS Farmer, businesswoman, musician, teacher, wife, mother, and grandmother. Born Sept. 6, 1939; Died Sept. 29, 2024. Patricia Hastings of Cooper was a first-generation producer who lived a busy life before buying her farm in the late ’90s. She was a teacher and a musician, playing lead viola in the Peterborough Symphony Orchestra. While she had no prior experience with farming, Patricia’s daughters Nicky and Katherine Hastings explain that she had a green thumb and always loved being outside in nature. “She had always been a fantastic gardener, and I think she passed that on to us.” Nicky says. In 1999, Patricia accompanied her son-in-law’s brother to visit a farm that was for sale. He was visiting from Germany and was considering starting a farm in Canada, but it was Patricia who ended up purchasing the farm. “After all the kids left, she took on a second career,” Nicky says. “Most people would retire, but she started something new at 60.” Patricia worked hard to turn the property into an organic grain farm where she would mill and sell flour. She grew winter wheat, spelt, barley, buckwheat, rye, and most notably, her in-demand Red Fife wheat. “She was involved in everything,” says Katherine. “She learned to drive tractors and operate machinery – she designed the packaging, bagged flour, delivered, and sold flour.” “People would assume Dad was the farmer, but they didn’t know she was out there putting a lot of time, and work into it,” explains Nicky. “It was hard back then, but I hope it paved the way for future women farmers.” BF - Leslie Stewart Patricia Hastings Canadian Agricultural Hall of Fame photo
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NTc0MDI3