The Canadian Agricultural Hall of Fame has announced its slate of inductees for 2018, and among them is former federal agriculture minister Gerry Ritz.
Ritz was nominated by the Alberta Wheat Commission, Alberta Barley Commission and Canadian Cattlemen’s Association.
According to a news release issued by the hall of fame, Ritz was recognized as serving as federal minister “during a period when Canada’s agri-food sector became recognized as an economic powerhouse.”
“During his 20-year political career as Member of Parliament for Battlefords-Lloydminster, Ritz served as minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food from 200-15 and put Canadian agriculture on the world map.”
According to the hall of fame, Ritz was recognized for expanding market access, forging international trade deals, for providing market freedom post-Canadian Wheat Board, pushing for innovation through Growing Forward and with limiting the damage from challenges including BSE and Country of Origin Labeling.
Ritz is one of five inductees, the others being business leader Ted Bilyea, farmer and businessman Peter Dhillon, plant scientist Wilf Keller and agriculture economist Larry Martin.
“We had a tremendous response from the industry with a record of 11 nominations put forward, and have selected five outstanding agricultural ambassadors,” said Hall of Fame Association president Guy Charbonneau in a statement.
“This year’s inductees exemplify the leadership and vision that continues to position Canadian agriculture at the forefront in areas as diverse as policy, research, primary production, value added and management training. We are proud to build our hall of fame as we recognize the accomplishments and contributions of these five men.”
The induction ceremony takes place Nov. 4 in conjunction with the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto.
