Saskatchewan Farming Hall of Fame Inductees

REGINA - Nov 24/05 - SNS -- Four people have been selected for induction to the Saskatchewan Agricultural Hall of Fame (SAHF) in 2006 -- Bryan Lawrence Harvey of Saskatoon, Robert Patrick Knowles (deceased), Heinrich (Henry) Gerhard Neufeld (deceased) and Elaine L. Poirier of Battleford.

Bryan Harvey is the breeder of Harrington, a two-row variety of malting barley. It set a new standard for malting and brewing quality. Within four years of its release it became the dominant variety in Canada and held that place for twenty years, now being replaced by its descendants. Harvey and his research partner, Brian Rossnagel at the University of Saskatchewan's Crop Development Centre have developed more than 50 barley varieties. Early in the 1960s, Bryan Harvey developed the 'half-seed' for canola, that allowed researchers to determine the fatty acid profile of a seed, then grow the seed.

Bob Knowles was born at Unity, Sask. and was a plant breeder at Agriculture Canada Research at Saskatoon from 1941 to his death in 1997. He developed ten new grasses that make up a large portion of the forage grass seed grown in Canada today. They include Summit crested wheatgrass, Carlton smooth bromegrass, Chief intermediate wheatgrass and Paddock meadow bromegrass. In his will he established the Robert P. Knowles Scholarship to help and encourage students in the plant sciences at the University of Saskatchewan.

Henry Neufeld (1897 - 1965) is remembered fondly as the builder of the forage seed industry in northeastern Saskatchewan and as a valued member of the Nipawin community. Born in Rosenbach, Manitoba, he came to the Lost River area at age 20 with only four years of schooling, no capital or land of his own. During his lifetime he became one of the most respected seedsmen in the country. In 1939 he founded Newfield Seeds Ltd. as a major processor of grain and forage seeds.

Elaine Poirier is recognized as a valued volunteer to organizations in Saskatchewan. Born in Swan Lake, Manitoba, she came to their Redvers, Sask. farm with her husband Henry , where she became active in the Redvers Agricultural Society and served two terms as president of the Saskatchewan Agricultural Societies Association. She saw the value of Western Canadian Agribition and served in the show and sale office for 30 years. Her fluency in French enhanced her value as a tour guide at that event and others. Now retired to Battleford, she pursues her passion for music and horticulture at local and provincial levels.

The purpose of the Hall of Fame is to publicly honour those who have made significant and outstanding contributions to Saskatchewan agriculture and rural living. The Hall is located in the Western Development Museum at 2610 Lorne Avenue, Saskatoon.