Agricultural pioneer Joyce Pimmett-Millar was raised and farmed in Otonabee Township. At age six, she began selling flowers and later sold eggs and poultry weekly at the Peterborough Farmers’ Market well into her nineties. She and her husband, Jack, raised two children. 

Joyce was a Junior Farmer and member of the Peterborough County judging team. She strongly supported 4-H and hosted meetings and annual judging competitions.

She was one of the first female beef order buyers for Canada Packers and raised turkeys, ducks, geese, and chickens for markets.

In 1967, she established a Scotch Shorthorn herd, which received numerous Grand Champion and Premier Exhibitor Awards. She was a well-respected cattle breeder, holding annual production sales.  Cattle were sold across Canada and internationally. She was among the first female beef judges at Canadian Class A Fairs. 

Joyce established the first local egg grading station. She proactively established the facility to supply graded eggs to restaurants, institutions, and stores. It continues to operate today. She was a strong advocate for supply management. In 2015, she was recognized by Egg Farmers of Ontario for over 50 years of continuous egg production. She thrived in a male-dominated industry.

Joyce demonstrated her resilience, rebuilding her barns and flock twice after 1953’s Hurricane Hazel and following a fire in 2001. Her legacy lives on with her family continuing to operate Millar Eggs and Poultry Farms.  

Nominated by Gregory, Lisa and Ian Clark, 2024