JAMES A. GIFFORD   1903-1994

James Gifford served his county and beyond, as a leader of farm, community and political organizations.  As chairman of the agricultural committee of Peterborough County Council in 1939 he spearheaded the formation of the first ever county level Federation of Agriculture in Ontario, right here in Peterborough.

He was elected the first president of the Peterborough County Federation of Agriculture (1939-40) and a year later became the second president of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture.  He is credited with helping organize federations in five of the largest counties in western Ontario.

Politically he served Ennismore Township as reeve for 28 years and was twice warden of the county, (1936 and 1958).  As reeve he was well aware of the need for better access to the city and the rest of the county.  He was the driving force in arranging financing and construction of the causeway across Chemong Lake, now named the James A. Gifford Causeway.  This was perhaps his greatest achievement as it greatly improved life for farmers and citizens of Ennismore Township.

Jim Gifford was also president of the Ontario Cream Producers Marketing Board 1949-50, the Farmer’s Union Mutual Insurance Co. (Lindsay) 1960-61, the Ontario Good Roads Association 1958, an association that awarded him an honorary life membership and was on the school board that built Crestwood Secondary School.

Nominated by Peterborough County Federation of Agriculture, 2015