The 2002 Board of Directors was named at the Agricultural Adaptation Council’s (AAC) 6th Annual General Meeting, February 4th, held in Guelph. The Council’s 18-member Board of Directors includes representatives from farm and rural organizations, agri-food and agri-business and two representatives from the federal and provincial governments. The Board also elected a three-member executive to serve in the coming year.

Murray Porteous, a fruit grower from Norfolk was re-elected as chair, and represents the Horticulture sector on the AAC Board. Murray is Vice-president of Lingwood Farms, a 550-acre cherry, apple and pear operation. Murray has been a member of the AAC board for five years. During this time, he has served as chair and vice-chair of the Board, and chaired the Council’s Communications and Marketing and the Small Projects Initiative committees. Murray has been active in the Ontario Agricultural Research Coalition, Ontario Agri-Food Technologies, Norfolk Fruit Growers Association, Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers’ Association, Ontario Apple Marketing Commission, and the Norfolk Federation of Agriculture.

Bob Bedggood, past-president of the Christian Farmers Federation of Ontario, is vice-chair of AAC. Bob has been active in water quality issues, as vice chair of the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority and as a member of the provincial Clean Up Rural Beaches committee. An AAC board member for three years, Bob and his wife Sandy operate a 350-acre cash crop farm east of London.

Tom Smyth, one of two agri-business representatives on the AAC board, is the third member of the executive. Tom has extensive board experience including the Agricultural Research Institute of Ontario, the Food and Consumer Products Manufacturers of Canada and was a founding member of the National Institute of Nutrition. Tom served as president, CEO and chairman of HJ Heinz Company of Canada. He is currently on the board of Versacold Corporation. Tom and his wife own and operate a cattle ranch in Alberta and a 300-acre farm in Bruce County.

The AAC was established in 1996 to administer the CanAdapt Program, funded through Ontario’s share of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Canadian Adaptation and Rural Development Fund. The Council also administers the National Soil and Water Conservation Program and its successor program, the Agricultural Environmental Stewardship Initiative, both of which are funded through Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.

In addition, the AAC manages the Canada-Ontario Research and Development Program in partnership with the Agricultural Commodity Council and the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.

By the end of 2001, the AAC had committed through its various funding programs - $72.5 million dollars to 978 projects.

These initiatives dealt with food safety and quality, environmental sustainability, marketing and competitiveness, human resources and rural development, innovation and adaptation for Ontario’s agricultural sector and rural communities.

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AAC Board of Directors, 2002-2003

Murray Porteous-Chair (Simcoe) Horticulture Sector
Bob Bedggood-Vice Chair (Thorndale) Christian Farmers Federation of Ontario
Tom Smyth-Executive Member (Willowdale) Agri-Business
Eric Kirk (Goderich) Agri-Business
Gord Johnson (Chesterville) Dairy Sector
Bob Down (Hensall) Grains,Oil Seeds and Specialty Crops
Kim Turnbull (Canfield) Grains, Oil Seeds and Specialty Crops
Bill McCutcheon (Florence) Horticulture Sector
George Demeyere (Tillsonburg) Horticulture Sector
Bette Jean Crews (Trenton) Ontario Federation of Agriculture Geri
Kamenz (Spencerville) Ontario Federation of Agriculture
Gord Surgeoner (Guelph) Other Commodity
Scott Graham (St. Mary’s) Poultry Sector
Chris Palmer (Wingham) Red Meats Sector
Dennis Zekveld (Janetville) Red Meats Sector
Alain Delorme (Wendover) Rural Life Representative
Guy Lafreniere-ex-officio (Ottawa) Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Dr. Brian Cardy-ex-officio (Guelph) Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs