Henry Swierenga is this year’s winner of the Farm & Food Care Ontario Champion Award.
The award was established in 1999 to recognize an individual or group’s significant commitment to public outreach and support for Ontario’s farming community.
Swierenga, who was nominated by the Ontario Federation of Agriculture and his local Niagara Federation of Agriculture, has been a stalwart volunteer with both federations, particularly working with youth including production of two award-winning children’s agriculture videos.
He participated in Breakfast on the Farm, Lincoln County Fair and Niagara Agriculture Days.
Ontario Agriculture Minister Lisa Thompson said “Henry shines a light on how Ontario’s agriculture and food industry continues to grow, meeting both domestic and global market demand, while promoting the very best of rural communities.”
Former colleague Joanne Fuller said, “We are so lucky to have Henry’s passion, knowledge and experience still advocating for Ontario farmers, which makes him a perfect recipient for the Champion award.”