The Ontario Agricultural Hall of Fame (OAHF) has found its new home in Guelph.
On April 29, OAHF president Barry Fraser, along with a number of attendees that packed the top floor of the Ontario AgriCentre in Guelph, officially opened the Hall of Fame’s new location.
The gallery features a wall of current and past inductees along with an electronic kiosk that accesses information on all 210 members.
“We’re very excited on behalf of the board of directors … to share our good News with you,” said Fraser.
The OAHF first opened in 1980 with nine inductees, before growing to what it is today.
“It is the mission of (OAHF) to acknowledge, record and preserve the contributions made by leaders to the growth and development of Ontario’s agriculture, its rural communities and agri-business across the province,” said Fraser.
“We are so pleased that we found a new home here.”
The gallery was previously housed at Country Heritage Park in Milton before moving to the Guelph location, which Fraser called the “heart of Ontario’s agricultural leadership.”
Guelph councillor James Gordon, University of Guelph vice president of research Dr. Malcolm Campbell, and Ontario AgriCentre president Rob Hannam spoke at the opening, offering their congratulations and welcoming the OAHF to Guelph.
Campbell spoke about how many of the past inductees were involved with the University of Guelph.
“The Ontario Agricultural Hall of Fame, it’s not so much moved home as it has come home,” Campbell said.
OAHF will hold its 2016 induction ceremony on June 12 at Country Heritage Park in Milton.
Alma resident Deborah Whale is among the five inductees this year.
