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David McDonald takes great satisfaction in seeing
local projects take shape and improve the community
in which he lives. To this end, he has, over his
lifetime, become involved in many organizations.
This involvement is evidence of his commitment
to bettering his community.
He was born in Ekfrid Township in 1938, attending
elementary school in Appin, later graduating from
Glencoe District High School. He then received
a two-year diploma from Ridgetown College of Agricultural
Technology in 1957. David and his wife Barbara
were married in 1966 and reside in Glencoe.
As a teenager, David McDonald was already very
involved in his community as an active 4-H member,
joining the Glencoe Beef, Field Crop, and Swine
Clubs. Later, he became a leader of the Glencoe
4-H Beef Club, and was elected Chair of the Middlesex
4-H Club Leaders Association in the mid 1960’s.
He was also an active member of the Glencoe Jr.
Farmers and the Middlesex County Jr. Farmers.
He participated in and won public speaking competitions
and was a member of the Ontario Champion Debating
Team. Also, as a Jr. Farmer, he was involved in
many Field Days, Zone Leadership Days at Ridgetown,
and Chairman of the Western Fair Booth Committee.
After graduating from Ridgetown College, Mr.
McDonald was first employed with Fisons of Canada
Ltd., promoting the product “Atrazine”
to corn producers across Ontario. From 1963 to
1977, he was a partner and manager of Scotch Fertilizers
Glencoe Ltd., one of the first bulk blending fertilizer
plants in Ontario. Three more locations were eventually
added to this business.
Equally important are the many positions he
has held as a volunteer. Mr. McDonald has been
active in numerous agricultural organizations,
including:
· Middlesex Soil and Crop Association (representing
Ekfrid Township)
· Middlesex Federation of Agriculture (representing
Ekfrid Township)
· Glencoe Agricultural Society (active
with the organization of Glencoe Fair, serving
as president in the 1970’s)
· Middlesex County Pork Producers’
Association
· International Plowing Match (involved
with the proposal in 1997 and was vice-chair of
the organizing committee, bringing the IPM to
fruition in 2002)
· Canada Pork Council (serving as the OPPMB
representative and also Vice-Chairman)
· Ontario Pork Producers Marketing Board
His record of service with the OPPMB is outstanding.
He was first elected in 1979 and continued until
1991, serving as Chair from 1987 to 1990. Mr.
McDonald worked for 12 years on the Research Committee
and 11 years on the Executive Committee. He has
also been on the Promotion Committee and the Weaner
Pig Committee. His leadership skills were demonstrated
when he represented and supported the pork industry
at many hearings, inquiries and appeals.
As well as his many contributions to agricultural
organizations, Mr. McDonald has a solid record
in municipal politics, serving the Village of
Glencoe in various capacities since 1978. He served
as Councillor, Deputy Reeve and Reeve. As a member
of Middlesex County Council he served on numerous
committees, and was elected Warden of the County
of Middlesex in 1997-98. He was a member of the
steering committee for the Community Futures Development
Corporation, and is now chair of that organization.
He has also been involved with local curling,
and improved sports facilities in the area. He
enjoys preserving history with restoration of
the 1904 Historical Railway Station in Glencoe.
Currently, Mr. McDonald has a cash crop enterprise
consisting of 100 acres on the edge of Glencoe.
He has been farming more than 36 years, operating
a 300-sow farrow-to-finish minimal disease unit
from the mid 1960’s to the 90’s. He
is also president and owner of Can Grow Crop Solutions
Inc., a liquid fertilizer manufacturing and retail
operation, selling product to cash crop farmers,
horticultural crops, and specialty crops across
Ontario and Michigan.
For his outstanding record of community involvement,
both on and off the farm, David McDonald has been
nominated by the Middlesex County Pork Producers’
Association and is today inducted into the Middlesex
County Agricultural Hall of Farm.
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