WOODSTOCK, Ont. – Discovery Farm Woodstock is pleased to share the news that Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show former president Doug Wagner, who retired October 31, 2022, will be inducted into the Ontario Agricultural Hall of Fame (OAHF). The induction ceremony takes place June 11, 2023.
Wagner was part of the team that launched the first Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show in 1994 and later, part of the team that started Ag in Motion, western Canada’s first outdoor farm expo. His dedication to and love for all things agriculture is evident in everything he touched. Wagner’s mark on the agriculture industry is significant, and his legacy for passionately sharing agricultural knowledge lives on at Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show.
“For all the early mornings and late nights I’ve put in, I have never really found it work. I am very humbled by this,” said Doug Wagner. “It’s been wonderful hearing from people on this and you start to realize how many people you touch with your actions. Over the years, I’ve heard from industry people I didn’t realize were following in the background, 4-H parents who thanked me on behalf of their kids and exhibitors on the impact our events had on their businesses. That impact is special. It’s always bigger than you think it is.”
Today, Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show is eastern Canada’s largest outdoor farm show and takes place annually in September at Discovery Farm Woodstock in Ontario. The show hosts more than 43,000 visitors with representation from over 700 companies participating in the show over three days.
“Being inducted into the Ontario Agricultural Hall of Fame is a real honor for Doug, and so deserving,” said Carla Vipond, executive vice-president for Discovery Farm and spokesperson for Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show. “He brought his dream to reality through visionary leadership, practical execution and innovative thought to create farm shows that are some of the largest in Canada. Much of that is thanks to his successful leadership and ability to inspire those he worked with.”
The Ontario Agricultural Hall of Fame Association selects candidates based on their life-long commitments to Ontario agriculture. Wagner has worked within the agriculture industry for over 45 years and has influenced the sector far beyond Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show. He has offered his valuable talents through his work with 4-H Ontario, Junior Farmers’ Association of Ontario, the International Plowing Match, Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association, Ontario Seed Growers Association as well as serving on committees with Canadian Agri-food Marketers Alliance, The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, and the University of Guelph, to mention a few.
Wagner will continue to serve as an advisor to Discovery Farm and Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show on special projects and initiatives, as well as taking some much-earned time off for travel.
More information on Doug Wagner and the other ten leaders to be inducted into the 2023 Ontario Agricultural Hall of Fame can be found on the OAHF website.
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For more information: Linda Brett, Content Manager, Discovery Farm |403-629-4961 | [email protected]
ABOUT DISCOVERY FARM
Discovery Farm is a demonstration research farm and events facility with locations in eastern and western Canada. Through collaboration with farmers, industry, government, academia, grower groups and incubators, we unearth possibilities and share practical solutions that benefit Canadian farmers.