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Five named to Hall of Fame

http://www.canada.com/reginaleaderpost/news/business_agriculture/story.html?id=2789150f-bea5-406d-a6a7-bcb20475f6d7

The Leader-Post ( Regina) Wed 21 Nov 2007 Page: D1 / FRONT
Section: Business & Agriculture Byline: Elizabeth Huber
Source: The Leader-Post

The Saskatchewan Agriculture Hall of Fame introduced five new inductees Tuesday at the Canadian Western Agribition (CWA).

Many of the 2008 inductees have a direct or indirect connection to the CWA. One thing they all have in common is their contribution to improving the agricultural community within Saskatchewan.

"I think it is very important to recognize individuals that have contributed to agriculture in any form. They have done a lot of work. Some of them get paid for it ... others are volunteers," said Jack Hay, president of the Saskatchewan Agriculture Hall of Fame.

Hay said the bar was set high in 1972, when the first inductees were introduced.

The five 2008 inductees include cattle producers, seed processors, veterinarians and organic farmers.

Bill Copeland from Elrose follows his wife Alma's 2007 induction into the Hall of Fame. He is known to support research and has provided land to the University of Saskatchewan for variety testing.

Copeland's name was highlighted at Agribition for the Grand Champion sample of malting barley CDC Copeland, named after him in recognition of his research contributions.

Another inductee, Davidson's Elmer Laird, is considered to be the "grandfather of organic farming in Saskatchewan."

In 1961, Laird committed to producing an organic farm, and in 1973 he established a non-profit society called the Back to the Farm Research Foundation with his late-wife, Gladys.

Six years ago, Laird leased his land to the foundation as a demonstration farm.

Former CWA committee member Clayton Hobman is honoured for his extensive service to many facets of the Saskatchewan agriculture industry.

A sample of his resume includes involvement with the Saskatchewan Horse Breeders Association, the Saskatchewan Livestock Association, the Canadian Percheron Association, the Saskatchewan Riding Club and Saskatchewan Municipal Hail Insurance Association.

Nearly a year after his death, Dr. Otto Radostits, a founding faculty member of the Western College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Saskatchewan, is being honoured.

Brad Wildeman, vice-president of the Canadian Cattleman's Association, is also being inducted. Wildeman is acknowledged for providing ongoing leadership to the beef industry, particularly throughout the BSE crisis. Wildeman is also the president of Saskatchewan's largest feedlot, Pound-Maker Agventures, a facility that is integrated with an ethanol plant.

Following the induction ceremony at the Western Development Museum in Saskatoon on Aug. 2 and 3, 2008, a pencil sketch portrait of the inductees will be hung in the Saskatchewan Agricultural Hall of Fame.

© The Leader-Post (Regina) 2007

Back to the Farm Research Foundation is at:
http://www.1st-organic.ca/html/index.htm