“I am personally thrilled that more Canadian women are being recognized this year for their extraordinary accomplishments in the Canadian agriculture industry,” says President Herb McLane, Canadian Agricultural Hall of Fame Association. “This year’s three inductees have contributed to the strength and health of our industry from very different perspectives – covering the animal health sector, publishing and consulting, and livestock photography. With more than 210 inductees in the Hall of Fame, and only five of them women, it is very heartening to be recognizing the outstanding contributions these three women continue to add to the Canadian agricultural industry.”

Robynne Anderson began her long and distinguished career in Canadian agriculture as a legislative assistant to the Deputy Prime Minister’s Office, working on the new Plant Breeder’s Rights Act. Her knowledge of agriculture and experience in government set the course for creating Issues Ink – her consulting firm that worked closely with the Canadian Seed Trade Association. Robynne founded and published several agricultural magazines including Germination, Spud Smart and CAAR Communicator (for the Canadian Association of Agri-Retailers). Robynne now operates Emerging Ag – a agricultural consulting firm. Throughout her career, Robynne has worked throughout the value chain in the agriculture and food sector, in Canada and internationally. Robynne Anderson lives in Calgary, AB and was nominated by the Canadian Seed Growers’ Association, the Canadian Seed Trade Association, SeCan Association and Stokes Seeds.

Livestock photographer Patty Jones has built a world-renowned business with a seasoned skill for photographing dairy animals that has changed the way they are marketed in Canada and around the world. For more than 44 years, Patty has been expertly capturing a visual history for Canadian dairy breed improvement as one of the most respected and well-known livestock photographers in the world. Her library contains more than 70,000 animals from all breeds, and she’s trained many aspiring livestock photographers to carry on the craft. Her official photographer status extends to major shows, including 4-H and the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair. Patty’s passion for the dairy industry includes her own Silvercap Holsteins farm where she buys, sells and breeds. Patty Jones lives in Puslinch, ON and was nominated by Semex.

For more than 25 years, Jean Szkotnicki has led the Canadian Animal Health Institute skillfully balancing the responsibility of advocating for Canadian veterinary pharmaceutical companies with livestock producers. A champion for antimicrobial stewardship, Jean has been instrumental in ensuring antimicrobials are used properly as part of a “one health” approach to human and animal antibiotic use in Canada. Jean laboured exhaustively to close the regulatory gap on Own Use Importation legislation. She’s passionate about building public trust in food and sits on numerous industry boards including the Canadian Centre for Food Integrity and as chair of the animal health product regulatory advisory committee to Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. Jean Szkotnicki lives in Moffat, ON and was nominated by the Canadian Animal Health Institute.

For the first time, the 2017 induction ceremony will be held in Calgary, Alberta, hosted by the International Agriculture and Agri-Food Committee of the Calgary Stampede on Thursday, November 30.

The Canadian Agricultural Hall of Fame Association (CAHFA) honours and celebrates Canadians for outstanding contributions to the agriculture and food industry. Portraits are on display in the Canadian Agricultural Hall of Fame Gallery located at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair. The CAHFA also publicizes the importance of inductee achievements to Canada. The Association was organized in 1960 and is administered by 12 volunteer Board of Directors located across Canada. www.cahfa.com