Brian Doidge wins T.R. Hilliard Award Brian Doidge of Ridgetown College, University of Guelph, and a close friend of OCPA, was awarded the prestigious T.R. Hilliard Extension Award, by Dr. Tom Michaels, Acting Dean of the Ontario Agricultural College, University of Guelph, at the OCPA annual banquet on March 6. This award was justly deserved and OCPA directors, members and staff join the university in congratulating Brian on this achievement.

Dennis Jack Elected New OCPA President Dennis Jack has been elected the new president of the 21,000-member Ontario Corn Producers’ Association (OCPA). He is a 10-year veteran of the board of directors and operates an 1,100 acre cash crop farm near Thamesville in Kent County. “I appreciate the strong vote of confidence from the membership and board of directors as I take on my new role with the association,” said Jack. “Ontario corn farmers are facing formidable challenges in the next year, with the priority being an equitable level of government support in relation to U.S. and Quebec grain farmers.” Jack replaces two-term president Anna Bragg, who did not run for re-election. Bragg, a Bowmanville farmer representing Region 4, will continue on the OCPA executive as past president. The new executive includes Mat Menich, from Vanessa (Region 7), as 1st vice-president, Don McCabe, from Inwood (Region 14), as 2nd vice-president and Fred Wagner, from Breslau (Region 5) as treasurer. Left: Bill Wagter OCPA welcomes Ron Steele to the OCPA board of directors from Region 6. Steele replaces Bill Wagter, who has retired from the board. All other directors were re-elected to the board at their county and regional meetings held in January and February. Left: Bill Wagter    Right: Ron Steele