“This award recognizes a lifetime of commitment, innovation and plain hard work to help strengthen and grow Saskatchewan’s agricultural sector,” said Reed Andrew, President of the Saskatchewan Agricultural Hall of Fame. “Congratulations to this year’s inductees; they have made a lasting impact on agriculture and the province as a whole.”

A brief overview of the inductees’ accomplishments is below:

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• Dr. Robert (Bob) Bors – As Head of the Fruit Program, Plant Sciences Department, University of Saskatchewan, Dr. Bors has successfully introduced nine sour cherry and 10 haskap varieties and has supported the commercialization of cherries and haskaps across Canada. His fruit plants are grown by home gardeners and commercial fruit producers across Canada, the United States and Europe. He also maintains the Prairie Fruit Genebank, initiated with help from the Agricultural Development Fund, to preserve the germplasm of prairie fruit plants.

 

• Frank Bourgault – The late Frank Bourgault founded Bourgault Industries in St. Brieux in 1973. His entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to innovation helped establish the company as a pioneering force in the agricultural equipment industry. In 1980, the company introduced the first tow-behind air seeder, which paved the way for a world-wide movement to the sustainable dryland farming practice of zero till. Frank was a gentleman of vision, hard work, and integrity but above all was devoted to his family and his community. 

 

• Gerry Bourgault – Frank’s son, Gerry, joined Bourgault Industries in 1975 and became President after his father’s death in 1989. Gerry was instrumental in growing the company to 500,000 square feet of manufacturing and office space, mainly in the town of St. Brieux. Gerry and his company was always on the leading edge of agronomy and how best to use technology to enhance fertilizer use. The company markets its products globally largely due to Gerry’s business acumen and leadership.  He continued his father’s tradition of creating employment and giving back to community in St. Brieux. 

 

• Harold Martens – The late Harold Martens has spent his career contributing to Saskatchewan agriculture as an elected Member of the Legislative Assembly, a senior official with the Ministry of Agriculture, a rancher, and board member of several livestock and farming associations. In 1975, Harold, along with his brother and brother-in-law, set up Martens Ranch Ltd. near Swift Current. He served as President of the Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association from 2011 to 2014 and Board Chair of the Livestock Services of Saskatchewan from 2014 to 2022 and many other boards. Harold was very influential in developing policy and creating a more robust and sustainable Agriculture industry in Saskatchewan.

 

• Dr. Grant Royan – A graduate from the University of Saskatchewan’s Veterinary College, Dr. Royan and partner Dr. Del Pearson operated the Sherwood Animal Clinic in Regina – the main large animal clinic in the Regina area – for more than 20 years. Dr. Royan also served many years as a board member Canadian Western Agribition and the official veterinarian, ensuring the show’s animal health protocols were best practice. Grant has been mentor to many veterinarian students. He also worked as a technical consultant for multiple Canadian veterinary pharmaceutical companies.

 

• Bill Wilson – achieved a successful career in the media educating Saskatchewan and Canadian people about agriculture. After starting as a radio reporter in Weyburn, he later moved to CKRM Radio in Regina where he began to specialize in agriculture and then to CBC TV where he reported on agriculture at the provincial and national level. In 1983, he started his own business and developed the Prairie Farm Report television show to keep Western Canadian farmers and ranchers informed on the latest agricultural news and trends. His company, Ag-Com Productions, produced agricultural print publications and established a national television channel, the Rural Channel. 

 

The inductees will be formally inducted into the Saskatchewan Agricultural Hall of Fame at a ceremony at Prairieland Park, Saskatoon on Saturday, April 26, 2025. Tickets can be purchased at www.sahf.ca starting February 1st, 2025.

You can visit the Saskatchewan Agricultural Hall of Fame Gallery on the upper level of the Western Development Museum in Saskatoon.

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For more information contact: Reed Andrew, President 306-536-7892