Home Community Three residents inducted into Renfrew County Agriculture Wall of Fame

Three residents inducted into Renfrew County Agriculture Wall of Fame

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RENFREW COUNTY (Renfrew) — Five people were inducted into the Renfrew County Agriculture Wall of Fame during the 25th anniversary celebration Saturday night in Renfrew. The 2020 inductees into the Renfrew County Agriculture Wall of Fame are Keith and Ruby Bennett of Foresters Falls, Christine Reaburn of Beachburg and Robbie and Christine Anderman of Wilno. 

An active partner in a family farm, first near Stratford and from 1974 on Lookout Road between Beachburg and Westmeath, Mrs. Reaburn is a farm wife and partner to Larry Reaburn. She did everything from driving a tractor to choring in the barn while raising three children, Janet, Catherine and Charlotte. Involved in many organizations, she has also made time to contribute to her community. After completing high school, Mrs. Reaburn began a career in banking. In addition, she became a representative for the Australian Young Farmers’ Association, travelling throughout Australia. In 1972, she left New South Wales and travelled to the United Kingdom to work with the Scottish Young Farmers. In 2019, the Federated Women’s Institutes of Canada named her as the Adelaide Hoodless Canadian Women’s Institute Woman of the Year and she was elected as World Secretary and Chair of the Triennial Conference 2022 Committee for the Associated Country Women of the World. 

Keith and Ruby Bennett’s farm has been in the Bennett family for over 150 years and eight generations. Mr. Bennett increased his father’s 100 acre farm to 850 acres, with their farm being one of the county’s first milking parlours and 170 free stalls. Mrs. Bennett looked after the farm bookkeeping and accounting, while being a member of the Queens Line Women’s Institute. She is now curator of Tweedsmuir history and both secretary and treasurer of the branch. She was also on the Institute committee of the 1994 International Ploughing Match (IPM) who looked after the ladies program. Many of the Bennett’s family members, employees and former employees say they look up to them as mentors instead of bosses. Their farm has hosted several agriculture and school tours to educate kids on farming and was part of the 1994 IPM horse committee, which took in the antique and horse plowing and demonstrations. 

Mr. Bennett’s list of agricultural contributions noted for this win mentioned 4-H cattle shows, his acquired agricultural education from his father and neighbouring farmers, and notably how he worked for Jack McLaren installing some of the first milking equipment in the county. Mr. Bennett showed the farmers how to use their new vacuum milkers and worked with his father to eventually take over and expand their dairy, beef, hogs, feedlots cash crops and horses. Avid supporters of the milk quota system, Mr. Bennett served on the Ontario Milk Marketing Board and as chairman of the Renfrew County Milk Board. He is a pound keeper for Ross & Whitewater Townships for over 40 years, a Renfrew County Holstein Association member for over 40 years, a member of the Renfrew County Soil and Crop, a member of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture and NFU, and he has bred and raised Belgian horses.

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