The 2007 FCC Rosemary Davis Award Winners
Gertie Blake, member service representative, Ontario Federation of Agriculture, Hanover, Ont.
A strong work ethic and unwavering commitment to helping Ontario farmers improve their economic, social and political environment is what drives Gertie Blake, a former pork producer and currently a Member Service Representative for the Ontario Federation of Agriculture.
Described as “feisty,” by friends, Gertie has spent 24 years in building a better and stronger agriculture industry and community. Whether it's driving from farm-to-farm to offer support during the 1998 ice storm or working with the local directors of the OFA, she leads by example and inspires others in rural Ontario to do the same.
Leadership is important to Gertie. She is widely accepted as a local expert on leadership development and facilitation with the OFA. She also shares her skills in facilitating farm groups on processes, training and communication.
Jacynthe Gagnon, president of the Fédération de l'UPA de la Rive-Nord, La Malbaie, Que.
Jacynthe Gagnon loves the people, social aspect and community involvement that agriculture provides. As president of l'Union des producteurs agricoles (UPA), and with 20 years experience as a co-owner of Porcherie L.R. Pilote enr., a mixed hog and beef operation in the Malbaie area of Quebec, the amount of time she dedicates to agriculture continues to increase.
Jacynthe is a leader, passionate and committed to sharing her knowledge with others for many years. She has served with numerous organizations, including president of the Fédération de l'UPA de la Rive-Nord in Quebec since 1991 and chair of the Conseil de l'agriculture et de l'agroalimentaire pour le développement de la région de Québec (Quebec regional development agriculture and agri-food board) for the past 10 years.
Since 2002, she has been a member of the forum on farm transfers and start-ups and a member of the committee to promote and enhance farming and agriculture.
She recently became a member of the “Fonds de développement regional” committee of the Conférence régionale des élus (CRÉ) (regional conference of elected officers) for the Quebec City region and a member of CRÉ's board of directors.
In 2002, she received the Hommage Laure Gaudrealt award for her involvement in the agriculture sector and her commitment to the community.
Mabel Hamilton, teacher/purebred ranch co-owner/operator, Innisfail, Alta.
Mabel encourages young people and women of all ages to become leaders in agriculture through her voluntarism and leadership. Her own decision to become involved was encouraged by her mother who believes in contributing to the best of one's ability.
Raised on a family farm in Balzac, Alberta, Mabel went on to receive a Degree in Education from the University of Calgary and taught elementary school for 15 years, while owning and operating the award-winning Belvin Angus Farm with her husband Gavin.
Getting involved in male-dominated cattle industry associations never intimidated Mabel. Her first contribution to the industry was volunteering on the Beef Education Association, a group of women dedicated to promoting beef. Mabel also sat on several industry boards, including the Alberta Cattle Commission and the executive of the Canadian Cattlemen's Association. She was the first female chair of both the Beef Information Centre and the Canadian Beef Breeds Council. Mabel was president and past president of the Canadian Angus Association and is currently an adult advisor for the Alberta Junior Angus Association and chair of the Canadian Cattle Identification Agency. She also represents the cattle industry on the Industry Government Advisory Council.
Mabel passed her passion for getting involved and making a difference in the industry to her two children, who are both involved in industry associations. She also found time to chair the community's Minor Hockey Association and coach her daughter's basketball team.
Noreen Johns, farmer, Allan, Sask.
Noreen Johns' deep pride in Canadian agriculture is reflected in her many special interest and volunteer activities. Her concerns for the future of the family farm and declining rural communities have inspired her work to make a difference in the industry.
An active farm partner her family's corporation, she believes that the family farm provides Canadians with safe, quality food — and provides children with a strong work ethic and excellent value system.
She serves and has served on numerous local and provincial associations and boards focusing on agriculture policy, health, rural women, education and training. She has travelled extensively to discuss and present on related issues. Noreen recently completed a term as president of the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Saskatchewan.
With the full support of her family, she provided leadership through various executive roles in the establishment and operation of the Saskatchewan Women's Agricultural Network (SWAN) and the Canadian Farm Women's Network through the 1980s and '90s. Within these organizations she proudly encouraged and supported the participation and recognition of women in all aspects of the agriculture industry from “barn to boardroom.”
She actively worked to make changes to Statistics Canada to include recognition of women as farm operators and, for a number of years, to persuade the Saskatchewan Department of Agriculture to declare a special week in recognition of farm women. She has shown other farm women that you cannot wait for others to instigate change, you have to lead it yourself.
Kay Young, farm partner, Young's Beef Farm, Lethbridge, N.L.
Kay Young takes every opportunity to raise awareness of the agriculture industry and encourages women to play a role. She is passionate about the importance of sustainable agriculture, rural issues, and policies related to women and their families. Kay feels farmers play a significant role as stewards of the land for future generations.
Kay is a former provincial Member of the House of Assembly, Minister of Social Services and Minister Responsible for the Status of Women. She is a founding member and past president of the Goose Head Farm Women's Association, the Provincial Farm Women's Association of Newfoundland and Labrador, and the Canadian Farm Women's Network.
Kay believes in the value of farm women's organizations. She feels they provide a safe environment and training ground for women who wish to learn more about agriculture.
Locally, her contributions have included memberships in various agriculture organizations, serving on the G.B. Cross Hospital Board and Foundation, and chairing the Bonavista Peninsula and Surrounding Area Community Futures Committee.
Kay and her husband Walter live on their first generation farm - Young's Beef Farm — with their daughters, Suzette and Margo. They teach and learn about agriculture practices by hosting youth from across Canada and other countries.
