The Norfolk County Agricultural Hall of Fame held a special ceremony on Sunday.
They will inducted two outstanding individuals and a remarkable peanut farm.
The inductees, Irene Anderson, the late Hon. John S. Martin, and Kernal Peanuts Ltd., were selected based on their significant contributions to agriculture and rural development.
A write up of each can be found below:
Irene Anderson, a native of Toronto, found her passion for art early in life. Her family’s tobacco farm near Langton nurtured her artistic talents, and her cartoons began gracing the pages of publications like the Delhi News Record and Canadian Tobacco Grower Magazine in the late 1950s. Her career as a cartoonist spanned four decades, leaving a lasting legacy in the field.
The Honourable John Strickler Martin, born near Cheapside in Haldimand County in 1875, had an enduring fascination with poultry. His childhood hobby of raising chickens transformed into an international business venture. Martin later entered politics, representing Norfolk South and Norfolk in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, where his agricultural background led to his appointment as Minister of Agriculture.
Kernal Peanuts Ltd., founded by Ernie and Nancy Racz in 1979, embarked on a journey to create a peanut farming success story in Norfolk County. The farm, located outside Vittoria, transitioned from tobacco to peanuts, becoming the largest peanut producer in Canada. With dedication, innovation, and hard work, the Racz family cultivated a thriving peanut operation that handles everything from planting to selling their products.
Photo from WHAM