Press Release ~ June 21, 2019
OUTSTANDING LEADERS TO BE INDUCTED INTO PETERBOROUGH COUNTY AGRICULTURAL WALL OF FAME
The 5th annual induction ceremony for the Peterborough County Agricultural Wall of Fame is being held on Sunday, August 25th at 2 p.m. in the Agricultural Heritage Building at Lang Pioneer Village, Keene. The purpose of the Agricultural Wall of Fame is to recognize those who have made an outstanding contribution to the agricultural industry. Two individuals and one couple will be inducted who have excelled in the agriculture/agri-food industry. Inductees are: Donald Caza, Ross and Lois Steed and Francis Walsh
DONALD P. CAZA (1935 – ) Don and his brother David purchased a 600 acre farm in Smith Township in 1967. Caza Berry Farm grew to be the largest U-pick berry farm in Eastern Ontario. Don was involved with the Peterborough County Federation of Agriculture and was president in 1986-87. The Caza family won the Peterborough Farm Family of the Year in 1987. Don continues to be the proprietor of Caza Farm Equipment and is well known for his work with the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association. For six years he measured crop residues and was involved with the OSCIA/University of Guelph well testing project. From 1995-2005, he coordinated the Environmental Farm Plan (EFP) for Peterborough County. Don supported local farmers to identify projects to protect the environment and implement best practices through the EFP program.
ROSS STEED (1937-2012) LOIS STEED (1941-2015) Ross and Lois Steed purchased their farm at Indian River in 1967. They had a Holstein milking herd, a purebred Hereford herd and cash crops. The Steeds were leaders in the Maple Syrup Industry, growing from 300 buckets to over 4000 taps, and were early adapters of reverse osmosis. They won many prizes at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair and were World Champions in 1980. Ross became a world class judge and he and Lois travelled Ontario, judging competitions including the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair. Ross helped develop the Seal of Quality and the grading program for the Ontario Maple Syrup Producers Association. He served as the provincial president from 1982-84. Ross won the OMSPA Award in 1995 and he and Lois won again in 2005 for their dedication to promoting quality maple syrup production and supporting Ontario producers.
FRANCIS WALSH (1931 – ) Francis Walsh has excelled in beef cattle productivity programs, and has had leadership roles in many Peterborough county organizations. He spent seven years on the executive of the Ontario Cattlemen’s Association. As a 4-H member he won many county and provincial awards, and upon graduation became a club leader for over 30 years. He was on the Board of the Peterborough County Federation of Agriculture for 30 years and president in 1972-73. Francis Walsh has always been a “life long learner”, and is willing to share his innovative farming practices with groups large and small, rural and urban. Countless bus and car tours have stopped at his Skibbereen Farms on Keene Road. Most notably he was an early adopter and promoter of three industry efforts to increase beef herd productivity, including the hugely successful weaning weight program that flourished in this county.
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For further information contact
Wayne Warner
705-931-0305 9c0
