Gordon Stephenson spent the entire week of Canadian Western Agribition celebrating.
The past-president and former manager of Agribition was recognized during opening ceremonies to mark the event’s 40th show.
The Hereford breed, for which he works as general manager of the national association, celebrated 150 years in Canada with its national show.
And he was recognized Nov. 23 when the Saskatchewan Agricultural Hall of Fame announced five new inductees for 2011.
Stephenson said he was attending the American Royal livestock show in Kansas City in October when hall of fame chair Jack Hay phoned to tell him about the induction.
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“I was very surprised and I would like to say pleased,” Stephenson said. “It’s quite an honour.”
He was recognized for his dedication in promoting Canadian livestock at home and internationally over the last 40 years.
The moment was marred only by the fact that one of his nominators and long-time friend, Bill Small, died the previous week and wasn’t there to share it. Small was a founder of Agribition.
Alanna Koch, Saskatchewan’s deputy minister of agriculture, was also surprised by her selection to the hall. She was nominated by the Western Canadian Wheat Growers Association, which she once served as executive director.
“I was absolutely shocked when Jack Hay called me,” she said.
“It’s not something that a person thinks about.”
Koch has spent more than 20 years in the industry, working with the wheat growers, Agricore United and the Canadian Agri-Food Trade Alliance.
“We all know how hard we work in agriculture, but I have to say I got much more back in return,” she said. “Agriculture is about really great people.”
Also named to the hall were:
• Dave Christensen, former professor in the department of animal and poultry science at the University of Saskatchewan who made significant contributions to the dairy industry
• Jim Dosman, known as the father of agricultural medicine in Canada and driving force behind the Canadian Centre for Health and Safety in Agriculture
• Evelyn Potter, the founding women’s president of the National Farmers Union in 1969 who has also done extensive work in rural development and occupational health and safety.
All five are expected to be inducted at a ceremony in Saskatoon at the end of July.
