The announcement was made Tuesday morning at the Saskatchewan Agricultural Hall of Fame located at the Western Development Museum in Saskatoon.
These are the new Ag Hall of Fame members in alphabetical order:
Jim Bessel played an instrumental role in the establishment of canola as a reliable, profitable crop for growers in Saskatchewan and Western Canada. Jim was employed as an agronomy specialist by the Saskatchewan Canola Growers Association and then the Canola Council of Canada. Bessel worked with researchers, equipment manufacturers, and seed companies to reduce the challenges and provide a successful outcome for canola growers. He continues to be a consulting agrologist and was working in northern Alberta on Tuesday. His wife Evelyn was on hand to represent him at the news conference.
Margaret Crowle (d. 2021) participated in a broad range of activities throughout her lifetime which contributed greatly to rural life, including in her work as an extension specialist and home economics entrepreneur. She also supported families with financial management through her work with the Consumers’ Association of Canada. Her daughter Jean was in attendance on Tuesday
Jack Dawes is an agricultural broadcast journalist and is well-known for his radio broadcasts on CJGX Yorkton in the 1980’s and 1990’s. Jack also went on to be the general manager of the Prairie Oat Growers Association from 2003-2011 and was key in establishing the Saskatchewan Oat Development Commission.
Les Hill was the project manager at the Prairie Agricultural Machinery Institute (PAMI) in Humboldt until his retirement seven years ago. Hill played an important role in PAMI’s combine testing and evaluation program. He helped to optimize combine performance and reduce harvest losses saving grain and oilseed producers many millions of dollars over the years.
Dr. Jeff Schoneau is a professor of soil fertility and professional agrologist with the Department of Soil Science at the University of Saskatchewan. He has a distinguished career in providing Saskatchewan farmers with innovative soil nutrient management solutions for profitable crop and livestock production, while maintaining or improving soil, water and air quality.
Mark Silzer is a leader in the bison industry, spending thousands of volunteer hours with provincial, national and international associations. Silzer owns a bison ranch in the Humboldt area and was president and chair of the Canadian Bison Association from 2004-2016.
All six will be officially inducted during a special ceremony on Saturday, November 12th in Saskatoon. It will be held in conjunction with the Saskatchewan Agricultural Hall of Fame’s 50th anniversary celebration. Listen to Sask Ag Hall of Fame President Reed Andrew speak about the celebration
Below photo starting at top left: Jean Verishagen (representing her mother Margaret Crowle); Evelyn Bessel (representing her husband Jim Bessel) and Mark Silzer. Bottom row from left to right: Les Hill, Dr. Jeff Schonau, and Jack Dawes) Photo credit: Tim Kostiuk
