SEPTEMBER 19, 1955 - FEBRUARY 11, 2017
Farmer and industry leader. Born Sept. 19, 1955; died Feb. 11, 2017 in Woodstock, age 61.
Interest rate challenges 30 years ago led Norfolk County farmers Brenda and Raymond Lammens to their Spearit Farms asparagus operation near Langton.
That decision led, in turn, to Brenda’s distinguished career as a champion of fresh, local produce and her advocacy for a higher profile for women in agriculture. Brenda was a past winner of the American Agri-Women Vision Award. She also served, in 2007, as the second female Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers’ Association (OFVGA) chair.
In January, OFVGA named her 2017 recipient of its Industry Award of Merit.
Current association chair Jan VanderHout described Brenda in a statement as a “strong and influential leader” with “a particular passion for mentoring women in agriculture.”
But it wasn’t only women and it wasn’t only agriculture, said Raymond Lammens, her husband of 35 years. Raymond spoke in a recent interview about his wife’s firm Christian beliefs and positive outlook.
“She wanted to better the whole industry of agriculture,” he said. “She always showed the positive side of everything.”
Brenda also held leadership positions with the Agri-Food Management Institute and Agricultural Adaptation Council.
Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers’ Association photo
Written by Jim Algie.
Originally published in the May 2017 edition of Better Farming.