Leonard K. Haney, a southern Alberta seed farmer and national leader in pedigreed seed development, died Jan. 31 at the age of 98.
The former Iron Springs, Alta., resident founded Haney Farms, one of the largest seed farms of its generation, and served as president of the Canadian Seed Growers Association in the early 1980s. He was also a former president of SeCan.
Haney was awarded the Alberta Order of Excellence in 1986 and became a member of the Order of Canada in 1993.
In 2005 he was granted an honorary doctor of laws degree from the University of Lethbridge.
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In a lifetime of agricultural and community service, Haney served as a school trustee and a County of Lethbridge councillor and sat on the Alberta Farm Debt Review Board and the provincial agricultural education and rural extension advisory committees.
Haney was also a Lions Club and Kiwanis member and served on the local United Church board. He was an avid fiddle player who encouraged others to take up the instrument.
Haney and his late wife, Velva, raised four children on the family farm near Iron Springs.
He is survived by three sons, a daughter, 10 grandchildren, two step-grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and five step-great-grandchildren.
A tribute page can be seen at www.lylereeves.com.
