Vivian Milburn was active in a wide range of local farm organizations and became involved in the development of many provincial and national agricultural activities.

Vivian was the first president of the Peterborough United Farm Young People (forerunner of Junior Farmers).  For many years he was a director of the Peterborough Exhibition and managing director of the Exhibition as well.

In 1932 when the Ontario Whole Milk League was formed Vivian Milburn was the second vice-president and later became president.  In 1940 he was the secretary-treasurer of the Ontario Cream Patrons Association.

Vivian’s greatest contribution to agriculture was in helping launch what is now the Ontario Federation of Agriculture.  This organization was formed to “co-ordinate the activities of the Ontario agricultural organization in matters of common interest within the Canadian Chamber of Agriculture.”  In 1936 Vivian was named to the founding executive and was elected vice-chairman.  In 1939 the executive made a motion to invite county chambers to affiliate with the provincial organization.  Peterborough was the first county to affiliate.  In 1941 Vivian was appointed secretary of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture.  He held this first staff member position until his retirement in 1956.

About 1940, Vivian became an advocate for the Farm Radio Forum and was named by the Ontario Federation of Agriculture to a committee to work with the national Farm Radio Forum group and the Canadian Broadcasting Commission.

Vivian served on Smith township council 1929 to 1933 and was appointed to the Ontario Municipal Board following retirement in 1956.  In recognition of his efforts to help establish The Co-operators Insurance Company he was honoured to take out the very first policy.  It was also a distinct honour for him to officially open the Peterborough Exhibition in 1975.

Nominated by Peterborough County Federation of Agriculture, 2016