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George Denys inducted into Kent Agriculture Hall of Fame

With more local agriculture pioneers have been inducted into the Kent Agricultural Hall of Fame, George Denys is one of the four latest inductees this year. Denys is recognized as an educated and well-informed leader, selfless in supporting both local and Canadian agriculture.

He put his efforts into creating crop insurance, promoting farming education events, finding farm labor for researching innovations for farming, all while being a strong advocate for all residents while on Raleigh Township Council.

At the age of 13, George Denys left Belgium for Canada in 1950 with his parents and siblings. They settled in Parkhill, establishing a mixed cash crop and livestock farm. In 1956, the family moved to Kent County to pursue vegetable production.

In 1969, while serving as Chairman of the Kent County Vegetable Growers Association, a wet spring and summer resulted in many farmers suffering the loss of their pea crop. George and several others encouraged those who had harvested and been paid for their crop, to contribute funds to those who lost their income.

From there, George was an integral part of a small group of vegetable producers that led the drive to create the first crop insurance program for peas, tomatoes and sweetcorn in the 1960s.

Aside from farming, he was also a strong advocate for all residents as a member of the Raleigh Township Council for 12 years. He served as a Councillor and Deputy Reeve and was the final Reeve upon amalgamation.

The Kent Agricultural Hall of Fame has inducted 197 members since its inception in 1989. The Hall has also supported another 17 Chatham-Kent agriculturalists into the Ontario Agricultural Hall of Fame.

Source: pentictonherald.ca

Photo source: Kent Agricultural Hall of Fame 

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