Six new inductees to the Saskatchewan Agricultural Hall of Fame were announced at the 2025 Crop Production Show in Saskatoon today.
Among this year’s inductees is Bob Bors, former head of the Fruit Program in the Plant Sciences Department at the University of Saskatchewan.
To say that Bors was thrilled to learn he was being inducted into the Saskatchewan Agricultural Hall of Fame would be quite an understatement.
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“I practically cried when I heard the news,” Bors said following his introduction to the crowd gathered at the 2025 Crop Production Show. “That they wanted to recognize me is something else.”
Bors’ work on haskap berries – the number one variety in the world he quickly adds was named after his daughter, Aurora – has literally borne fruit around the globe.
“I never thought anything done in Saskatchewan could become world famous,” said Bors. “But we’re world famous for our haskap, and semi-famous for the cherries.”
Bors was joined on stage today by three other inductees, while two more received the recognition posthumously.
Gerry Bourgault and his late father, Frank, were both recognized for their work with their family-namesake, Bourgault Industries of St. Brieux, Sask.
“Getting into business our goal was never to seek awards,” said Gerry. “But it’s very much appreciated, very much a surprise.”
Gerry’s brother, Claude Bourgault, said the award reflects positively on the people who work in their family’s business.
“It acknowledges the hard work of the people from that area and what you can do from rural Saskatchewan.”
Bill Wilson, another of this year’s inductees in attendance, started his career as a radio reporter in Weyburn, later moving to CKRM in Regina, which is where he began to specialize in agriculture. Wilson went on the create the well-known Prairie Farm Report television show.
Graint Royan, a graduate of the University of Saskatchewan’s Western College of Veterinary Medicine, was also present today.
Royan and his partner, Del Pearson, operated the Sherwood Animal Clinic in Regina, the main large-animal vet clinic in the area for more than 20 years.
Harold Martens was a rancher who also served as a member of the legislative assembly, a senior official with the provincial Ministry of Agriculture, and was a board member of several livestock and farming associations.
Martens, his brother and brother-in-law, set up Martens Ranch Ltd. near Swift Current in 1975.
Martens also served as president of the Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association from 2011 to 2014, and was board chair of Livestock Services of Saskatchewan from 2014 to 2022.
“This award recognizes the lifetime of commitment, innovation and plain hard work to help strengthen and grow Saskatchewan’s agricultural sector,” said Ag Hall of Fame president Reed Andrew in introducing the inductees. “Congratulations to this year’s inductees, they have made a lasting impact on agriculture and the province as a whole.”
A formal ceremony celebrating the inductees will be held April 26, 2025.
Check out all our 2025 Western Canadian Crop Production Show coverage here.
