Harold Martens served numerous organizations throughout his life, including the Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association
SASKATOON — Former Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association president and MLA Harold Martens was remembered for his agricultural contributions during the recent Saskatchewan Beef Industry Conference.
Martens was 81 when he died in early January. He only curtailed his involvement in his agricultural and municipal commitments last October when cancer prevented him from attending.
Jason Pollock, chief executive officer of Livestock Services of Saskatchewan, noted Martens’ tremendous contributions to agriculture, the cattle industry and his community.
Martens was co-chair of the transition of provincial livestock inspection to the private sector and had been chair of LSS.
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“The legacy that Harold leaves at LSS as well as other organizations and committees he played a role in is one of a diplomat. His ability to focus on the issue at hand while masterfully managing the diverse personalities at the table was one of his strongest attributes,” Pollock said. “His calm demeanour and respect for individuals allowed him to defuse tense situations with ease and tactfully resolve disputes.”
Martens farmed with his family northeast of Swift Current all his life.
A man of faith, who suffered a severe hockey injury as a teenager that left him with a left leg that didn’t bend, he still spent hours travelling and sitting in meetings, Pollock said.
Martens was elected to the council of the Rural Municipality of Saskatchewan Landing in 1973 and was a Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities director from 1977-78.
In 1982, he was elected the MLA for Morse and served until 1995. During that time, he served as a legislative secretary and was named associate minister of agriculture in 1989.
“Harold knew the importance of water to agriculture and spent a fair bit of his advocacy work in this area,” Pollock said.
In 1999, he was elected reeve of the RM of Excelsior. He retired in October.
His involvement in the SSGA began in 2009. He served as finance chair, vice-president and then president from 2011-14.
He worked on establishing livestock price insurance and the transition of the former federal pastures to the patrons and also sat on the Saskatchewan Cattlemen’s Association board.
Martens is survived by his wife Sylvia, three sons and their families, and extended family.
