Six prominent figures from across Canada’s agricultural sector are set to join the Canadian Agricultural Hall of Fame this fall.
The 2025 inductees include John Anderson, Dori Gingera-Beauchemin, Gaétan Desroches, Joe Hudson, Dennis Laycraft and Peter Sikkema, according to a June 16 press release.
“As our industry continues to innovate and advance, it’s important to reflect and recognize the lifetime contributions these individuals have made to strengthening the world-class agri-food industry we enjoy in Canada,” said hall of fame chair Phil Boyd.
Why it matters: Every year, the Canadian Agricultural Hall of Fame recognizes people who have helped Canada’s agriculture sector grow and improve.
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This year’s inductees can claim groundbreaking work across primary production, food and value-added retail, involvement in commodity organizations, policy making, research and extension and co-operatives, Boyd said.
John Anderson, a west Vancouver resident nominated by former B.C. judge and provincial cabinet member Wally Oppal, spent five decades building his company, Oppy, into a global fresh produce retail business. Starting in the company’s warehouse, he eventually became chief executive officer and transformed the organization through sustainable agriculture practices and community-focused initiatives, the release said.
Dori Gingera-Beauchemin, who lives in Ile Des Chenes, Man., is best known in Manitoba as the province’s long-serving deputy agriculture minister before retiring in 2023. She has continued her agricultural advocacy in retirement, the June 16 release noted. She was nominated by consulting firm Emerging Ag Inc. for her work in sustainable development and policy creation that supported Canadian farm communities.
Quebec’s Gaétan Desroches led Sollio Cooperative Group, Canada’s largest agricultural co-operative, for more than four decades. The Morin-Heights resident, nominated by Sollio Cooperative Group, guided the organization through mergers and helped modernize their operational model.
Joe Hudson, who lived in Brockville, Ont., founded and led Burnbrae Farms, now Canada’s largest family-owned integrated egg producer, for nearly 60 years. Egg Farmers of Canada nominated Hudson
Dennis Laycraft, a Calgary resident nominated by the Canadian Cattle Association, has spent 40 years championing Canada’s beef industry. His leadership has focused on market development, trade competitiveness and building export capacity for Canadian beef, the release said.
Peter Sikkema from Ridgetown, Ont., spent his career as a weed scientist at the University of Guelph Ridgetown Campus. Nominated by Grain Farmers of Ontario, he gained international recognition for his research on herbicide-resistant weeds and practical weed management programs.
The induction ceremony will take place Saturday, Nov. 8, in Victoria, B.C.
