Junior Farmer and ag education leader amongst 2017 Ag Hall of Fame inductees
By Jennifer Jackson
The chance to honour and recognize current and past agricultural leaders is just a month away.
The Ontario Agricultural Hall of Fame (OAHF) Association will hold a ceremony to induct four industry leaders into the Ag Hall of Fame on June 11 in Milton.
One of these individuals is John Charles Steckley (1887-1965), who is recognized for his leadership in, and contributions to, agricultural education for youth.
Over a century ago, Steckley worked for the Department of Agriculture and taught short winter courses for young farmers, according to an OAHF release. Following graduation, course participants formed an educational group to continue learning; this group was the first Junior Farmers club.
The Ontario Agricultural Hall of Fame Association photo
“We couldn’t be more pleased to see the late Jack Steckley be honoured in this way and inducted into the Ontario Agricultural Hall of Fame,” says Matt Smith, president of the Junior Farmers’ Association of Ontario (JFAO).
“I think he would be proud to see the legacy that he started – the first Junior Farmer club, which has now evolved into what we know today as JFAO, thriving and continuing to make a difference for rural youth across the province.”
Steckley vouched for farm education for youth and highlighted the need for an agricultural school in western Ontario – Ridgetown, specifically, according to the release. By 1953, the first class graduated from the Western Ontario Agricultural School (now known as the University of Guelph Ridgetown Campus). Steckley’s goal was accomplished.
Along with Steckley, the OAHF will also induct John Riddell, former minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Robert Lang, a leader in the livestock industry, and the late Arthur Loughton, a leader in Ontario’s horticultural research.
The OAHF will hold the induction ceremony at Country Heritage Park in Milton, Ontario on June 11, 2017. Tickets are $25 and are available for purchase by completing an order form.
More information about the inductees and the ceremony is on the OAHF website.