October 7, 2011
Re: OFA 75th Anniversary Volunteer Award
It is with great honour that the Lambton Federation of Agriculture nominates Ron MacDougall for the OFA 75th Anniversary Volunteer Award. The Lambton Federation of Agriculture is pleased to have such an exceptional person as a member of our Board of Directors and is pleased to give him the recognition we feel he deserves.
OFA Volunteer Work
Ron first sat on the Board of Directors for the Lambton Federation of Agriculture in the mid-80’s as a Director for one year. He has since returned to the LFA in 2008 and his leadership capabilities have not gone unnoticed. He began his involvement with the LFA as a Director at Large and since his return has quickly moved up to his current position of 1st Vice President. He currently sits on the following committees, Political Awareness, Finance, and Executive. Since 2008 he has always sat on the Political Awareness Committee. During his tenure from 2009-2010 he was on the Scholarship , Finance and Executive Committee.
Seeing the value in recognizing the innovation and dedication of farmers Ron chaired the LFA committee that saw to the formation of the Lambton Agricultural Hall of Fame. The purpose of the Hall of Fame is to recognize a person, persons or organizations for their achievement within the realm of agriculture and service of benefit to the rural community of Lambton and beyond. In 2010 the Hall of Fame was officially operating and inducted its’ first member. A second member was inducted this year and Ron continues to chair the Board of Directors for the Lambton Agricultural Hall of Fame.
Through his involvement with the Political Awareness Committee he was instrumental in developing a Land Use Policy Statement to be utilized by the LFA, County of Lambton and Municipalities within Lambton County. It is through this document that Ron is ensuring the importance and value of agriculture land is made known. The Land Use Policy also helps to ensure that all the necessary measures are being taken to preserve it and minimize, if not eliminate, the development of agricultural land.
His advocacy for the involvement of young people in agriculture is phenomenal and promising for the future of agriculture. A new group, Lambton Young Agriculturalists, was formed this spring in Lambton County. Ron was the LFA member who initiated this project and enlisted the assistance of three fellow board members in getting this group started. He generated the idea for this group himself, and was extremely helpful in getting this group of youth started. His idea for this group is as follows; A group of individuals who are in the “20 ish to 30 ish” age range. They envision farming or other careers in agriculture as a potential part of their future and feel there is a vibrant future for agriculture in the Lambton area. Group members are very interested in sharing their perspectives with others who have similar interests. The initial meeting saw over 50 young individuals in attendance. Together he aided them in forming a steering committee and they have since had another meeting with more planned in the near future.
Other Volunteer Activities
Ron has held many positions on various other committees, groups, and boards. His quiet dedication and involvement in agriculture extends past the boundaries of Lambton County to not just Ontario but Canada. He has an extensive portfolio of where he has unassumingly demonstrated his forthcoming and leadership capabilities.
Some of Ron’s earlier volunteer commitments start back in his youth when he was an active 4-H member. Later he joined Brooke Jr. Farmers in 1971. By 1977 he became the President. He was also a director on the Lambton Farm Safety Association for a year during this time. During his time as a Jr. Farmer Ron was part of a steering committee that saw to the start up of the Lambton Farm Safety Association.
Upon his retirement from 4-H and Jr. Farmer’s Ron went on to become a 4-H leader. He led the South Lambton Crop Club for 5 years. He then joined the Board of Directors for Ontario Soybean Growers Marketing Board as a Director in the mid-80’s. He moved up to Vice chairman and Chairman of the board before its merger to Grain Farmers of Ontario. During his time on this board he assisted the board with its’ continued efforts in research and market development.
From 2003 until 2007 Ron was a member of the National CAIS Committee (NCC). While on NCC he assisted in the governance of CAIS. Through this committee he provided advice and made recommendations on CAIS to the Minister of Agriculture. Through NCC he heard and considered producer appeals. He currently is a member of the National Program Advisory Committee that looks at all Business Risk Management Programs and provides advice to federal, provincial and territorial governments.
Also during this time frame Ron was embarking on yet another opportunity. Since its’ inception in 2006 until present, Ron has sat on the first level judging committee for the Premier’s Award for Agri-food Innovation Excellence which recognizes innovators who contribute to the success of Ontario’s agri-food sector. At this level Ron, along with fellow committee members review all applications and narrow the results down before passing the applicants on to the next level of judging.
At present time Ron is an active member of the board of directors for the Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership (SLEP). SLEP is a private / public-sector community-based partnership that works to continually increase the economic activity in Sarnia – Lambton County. On this board Ron represents, promotes and preserves the economic value of agriculture.
His involvement also extends beyond agriculture and reaches the rural community around him. He chaired the School Council at Lambton Central Collegiate and Vocational Institute (LCCVI), a secondary school in Petrolia, during its inaugural years. During the years that his children attended LCCVI he was on the Lambton-Kent District School Board Parent Involvement Committee (PIC) which is made up of nominated School Council Chairs. Through PIC he was able to become involved in improving and supporting student achievement. PIC provides information and recommendations directly to the Director of Education and Board of Trustees. Ron held four, three year terms with PIC with his last term ending in May of 2007. Ron is also a very active and engaging member of his local church.
Impact of Volunteer Work
Recognition. The greatest contribution Ron has made as a volunteer for the betterment of agriculture and the community is recognition. Not recognition for him, but for the group he is working with or projects he is working on. He always puts agriculture to the front and wants to ensure that agriculture is receiving the recognition it deserves, whether it is through the people, the land or any aspect of the industry. For the people of agriculture he gave them recognition for all ages. The young and new through the Lambton Young Agriculturalists, the current producers through CAIS, National Programs Advisory Committee and the Premier’s Award and those that have past or retired through the Agricultural Hall of Fame. He continues to achieve recognition for the importance of maintaining agricultural land and preserving it by developing the Land Use Policy. Through SLEP he ensures that when new businesses are brought to or plan on expanding in Sarnia-Lambton, agriculture has a voice. Ron always ensures that agriculture is getting the recognition it deserves.
Through his involvement with the local secondary school he provided advice to the local school board on how students can recognize their potential.
Ron’s greatest achievement has been ensuring that through all his hard work and dedication the focus always remains on the task at hand and achieving the end result.
Outstanding Strengths
His strength is that he can unassumingly lead a board, committee, or group successfully without any recognition. He can inadvertently ensure all members present at a meeting have a voice and get their say on a topic or issue. Another area he specializes in is asking questions and getting all the pertinent information so that an informed decision can be made. He is always fully engaged and asking the right questions. He is a great advocate for farmers, the agricultural community and youth in agriculture. He is supportive of young people being involved with the LFA and OFA.