Ontario farmer named as Order of Canada recipient

Jan 03, 2022

135 new recipients of the Order of Canada, including Ontario farmer Kenneth Knox.

Kenneth W. Knox, a farmer from Hampton, Ontario, has been awarded the highest honour in Canada.

Knox was named as a recipient of the Order of Canada “for fostering a culture of innovation that influenced the Ontario Public Service over the past few decades, notably in the agricultural sector."

Knox was named a member of the Order of Canada on December 29, 2021.

The 75-year-old Knox owns a 500-acre cash crop and pumpkin farm, grew up on a dairy farm. After a long career working within the provincial ag industry as an assistant deputy minister and deputy minister, he was inducted into the Ontario Agricultural Hall of Fame in 2011.

Of his initiatives, Knox is recognized for his “recognition of the value of extension and education programs for rural youth,” and how he “facilitated the development of an independently funded 4-H organization.”

Other ag-related honourees include:

John Robinson and Hazel Robinson of Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island for their leadership in the province’s agriculture industry, and for their contributions to documenting local history in the community;
Barry Smit of Guelph, Ontario for his contributions to our understanding of climate change impacts and adaptation, and for his mentorship of the next generation of climate change scientists;
Gilles Vincent of Longueuil, Quebec for his leadership in the botanical garden community and for advancing phytotechnologies at home and abroad;

For a full list of the 135 recent honourees, visit: https://www.gg.ca/en/activities/2021/governor-general-announces-135-new-appointments-order-canada.

The Order of Canada is our country’s highest civilian honour. Since its inception in 1967, 7,000 Canadians have been honoured. Honorees are nominated by fellow citizens and selected by an advisory board.

Video: FLEECED! Sheep Shearer Hands Over Clippers!

It's sheep shearing day at Ewetopia Farms! ?? Our Dorset lambs and ewes are getting fleeced — and for the first time, our shearer hands over his clippers to a beginner. We finish shearing the last of our adult ewes and this year’s Dorset ewe lambs.

From moving the sheep between barns, loading them into chutes, and watching the wool come off, this is always one of the most satisfying days on the farm. But this video has a twist — we welcomed a new helper, Gian, who’s not only lending a hand but also learning how to shear! With guidance from our experienced shearer, he got a crash course in sheep shearing and even tried his hand at shearing a couple of lambs himself.

You’ll see firsthand how both teacher and student handled this unique challenge. Shearing is more than just removing wool — it’s about sheep health, comfort, and giving us a closer look at the flock. It’s always amazing to see the transformation from woolly sheep to freshly shorn ewes and lambs.