source: Farm and Food Report
The longer one lives in this beautiful province, the more one appreciates how intimately linked to agriculture our communities are.
These linkages are often highlighted by the accomplishments of a few individuals. Fortunately, there is a place where these contributions have been celebrated since 1972.
The Saskatchewan Agricultural Hall of Fame (SAHF), located at the Western Development Museum in Saskatoon, is the initiative of a few dedicated individuals such as Regina’s Gary Carlson.
“I was Executive Director of the Saskatchewan Federation of Agriculture at the time and, while the idea of a Hall didn't originate with me (a Canadian Hall of Fame had been established earlier in Toronto, I contacted a diverse group of Saskatchewan agricultural industry representatives in 1970 to plan such an organization.”
Saskatoon’s Jack Braidek is a member of the Board of Directors.
“I have been involved with the Hall of Fame for 10 years,” Braidek says. “I am a retired agrologist with an interest in celebrating agricultural milestones. The Hall of Fame honours and shares with the public the actions of those people — our inductees — who did these extra special things that turned out to be extraordinary contributions in agriculture and toward rural living.”
The Hall of Fame celebrates people like John Henry Wesson. His citation notes that he was born near Sheffield, England. In 1907, his family came to Canada, settling on a homestead near Maidstone. Almost immediately, 20-year-old “Jack” Wesson became involved with the affairs of the Saskatchewan Grain Growers Association. He was a persuasive exponent of the principle of co-operation, and was active in the organization of the Saskatchewan Co-operative Elevator Company in 1917, the forerunner of the Wheat Pool.
“He was active in bringing most of the major farm organizations of Canada together in the Canadian Federation of Agriculture in 1937, and became first president of that organization.”
Following the end of World War II, Wesson worked with leaders of farm movements in other countries to bring about the establishment of the International Federation of Agricultural Producers.
“His voice became the voice of Prairie wheat farmers and, upon occasions, the voice of the whole of Canadian agriculture,” says Braidek. “With purpose and dignity he spoke, and was listened to, in provincial, national and international councils. Wherever the welfare of the Canadian farmer was discussed, John Wesson was to be found, and the weight of his judgment and influence were felt”
There are also inductees like Mary Ann Lavallee, who worked hard for many years to improve the quality of life in First Nations communities. She was born on the Cowessess Reserve on June 2, 1920. She was schooled at the Qu'Appelle Indian Residential School at Lebret, graduated from high school, and later qualified as a Registered Nurse at St. Boniface Hospital.
Her citation notes that “She married Sam Lavallee and they established a farm on the Cowessess Reserve. They encountered great difficulty in attempting to build and modernize their farm and in getting adequate education for their children. Sam and Mary Ann sought changes. Mary Ann was a prime mover in establishment of a home and school association in her community. She became a firm believer in equal educational opportunities and in freedom of choice for Indian parents in decisions affecting their children. She was instrumental in forming school committees on reserves across Saskatchewan and in encouraging kindergarten programs for children.”
Mary Ann Lavallee became an unofficial spokesperson for native people seeking legal and social reform. She lectured at universities, travelled across Canada and as far away as Australia to share her life’s experience and wisdom. Slices of her contributions, and sketches of 168 other inductees, are lovingly displayed at the SAHF.
Nominations to the Saskatchewan Agricultural Hall of Fame are received on an annual basis. Spouses and families of those being honoured are also recognized because, in many cases, family support made possible the outstanding contributions being saluted. Nomination forms can be downloaded on the SAHF Web site at: http://www.usask.ca/agriculture/sahf/.
For more information, contact:
Jack Braidek
(306) 933-1257
or
Gary Carlson
(306) 586-0211
Saskatchewan Agricultural Hall of Fame http://www.usask.ca/agriculture/sahf/
The longer one lives in this beautiful province, the more one appreciates how intimately linked to agriculture our communities are.
These linkages are often highlighted by the accomplishments of a few individuals. Fortunately, there is a place where these contributions have been celebrated since 1972.
The Saskatchewan Agricultural Hall of Fame (SAHF), located at the Western Development Museum in Saskatoon, is the initiative of a few dedicated individuals such as Regina’s Gary Carlson.
“I was Executive Director of the Saskatchewan Federation of Agriculture at the time and, while the idea of a Hall didn't originate with me (a Canadian Hall of Fame had been established earlier in Toronto, I contacted a diverse group of Saskatchewan agricultural industry representatives in 1970 to plan such an organization.”
Saskatoon’s Jack Braidek is a member of the Board of Directors.
“I have been involved with the Hall of Fame for 10 years,” Braidek says. “I am a retired agrologist with an interest in celebrating agricultural milestones. The Hall of Fame honours and shares with the public the actions of those people — our inductees — who did these extra special things that turned out to be extraordinary contributions in agriculture and toward rural living.”
The Hall of Fame celebrates people like John Henry Wesson. His citation notes that he was born near Sheffield, England. In 1907, his family came to Canada, settling on a homestead near Maidstone. Almost immediately, 20-year-old “Jack” Wesson became involved with the affairs of the Saskatchewan Grain Growers Association. He was a persuasive exponent of the principle of co-operation, and was active in the organization of the Saskatchewan Co-operative Elevator Company in 1917, the forerunner of the Wheat Pool.
“He was active in bringing most of the major farm organizations of Canada together in the Canadian Federation of Agriculture in 1937, and became first president of that organization.”
Following the end of World War II, Wesson worked with leaders of farm movements in other countries to bring about the establishment of the International Federation of Agricultural Producers.
“His voice became the voice of Prairie wheat farmers and, upon occasions, the voice of the whole of Canadian agriculture,” says Braidek. “With purpose and dignity he spoke, and was listened to, in provincial, national and international councils. Wherever the welfare of the Canadian farmer was discussed, John Wesson was to be found, and the weight of his judgment and influence were felt”
There are also inductees like Mary Ann Lavallee, who worked hard for many years to improve the quality of life in First Nations communities. She was born on the Cowessess Reserve on June 2, 1920. She was schooled at the Qu'Appelle Indian Residential School at Lebret, graduated from high school, and later qualified as a Registered Nurse at St. Boniface Hospital.
Her citation notes that “She married Sam Lavallee and they established a farm on the Cowessess Reserve. They encountered great difficulty in attempting to build and modernize their farm and in getting adequate education for their children. Sam and Mary Ann sought changes. Mary Ann was a prime mover in establishment of a home and school association in her community. She became a firm believer in equal educational opportunities and in freedom of choice for Indian parents in decisions affecting their children. She was instrumental in forming school committees on reserves across Saskatchewan and in encouraging kindergarten programs for children.”
Mary Ann Lavallee became an unofficial spokesperson for native people seeking legal and social reform. She lectured at universities, travelled across Canada and as far away as Australia to share her life’s experience and wisdom. Slices of her contributions, and sketches of 168 other inductees, are lovingly displayed at the SAHF.
Nominations to the Saskatchewan Agricultural Hall of Fame are received on an annual basis. Spouses and families of those being honoured are also recognized because, in many cases, family support made possible the outstanding contributions being saluted. Nomination forms can be downloaded on the SAHF Web site at: http://www.usask.ca/agriculture/sahf/.
For more information, contact:
Jack Braidek
(306) 933-1257
or
Gary Carlson
(306) 586-0211
Saskatchewan Agricultural Hall of Fame http://www.usask.ca/agriculture/sahf/
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