Representatives of the Maritime beef industry gathered in Nappan recently to honour four of their own with the Queens Diamond Jubilee Medal.

The recipients included Darlene Sanford from Mont Carmel, ; Henry Knight from Lower Jemseg, NB; Robert Acton, from Cookville, NB; and Charlie MacKenzie from Antigonish, NS. The event was hosted by the Maritime Beef Council (MBC). Dave Solverson, Vice-President of Canadian Cattlemen’s Association, travelled to Nappan from Alberta to present the medals.

Darlene Sanford is well known for her strong leadership as Chair of the PEI Cattle Producers. Her eight year tenure was one of tremendous opportunities and challenges. She was at the helm when the BSE crisis hit the beef industry. She worked and lobbied tirelessly with government and producer groups to alleviate the effects of the BSE crisis.
Darlene was involved in the creation of the Atlantic Tender Beef Classic brand, and was a founding member of the PEI Beef Producers Coop, which represented shareholders of the Atlantic Beef Products processing facility. In 2005, Darlene was awarded the PEI Women's Institute’s Women in Agriculture Recognition Award, and in 2009 Farm Credit Canada’s Rose Mary Davis Award. Darlene, along with her husband, Mitchell, and children, Marina and Brenton, currently operate a feedlot along the south shore of Prince Edward Island.

Henry Knight and his wife, Nancy Perry, have two daughters, Carrie and Holly. Henry was a founding member of the South East Herford Club, serving as President on two occasions. Henry was also a 4-H leader for their local beef club for seven years. Numerous organizations benefited from Henry’s tireless efforts to improve the beef industry in New Brunswick. He served as Director or Chair of the livestock committee for the Queens County Fair, the NB Hereford Association, the NB Cattle Producers and the Maritime Beef Council. He continues to be very involved within the beef industry and his community.

Robert Acton has been President of the NB Federation of Agriculture and the NB Cattle Producers Association. He has served on the Board of Directors of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture and the Canadian Cattleman’s Association. He was the 1995 recipient of the “Louis Hebert Award” by the NB Institute of Agrologists.,in recognition of his outstanding achievement as a farmer. In 1983 he received “Person of the Year” award from the Farm & Forest Magazine for his achievement and dedication to agriculture in Atlantic Canada.
He continues to farm with his family and is especially proud to have two of his grandsons involved in the farm. Robert credits his deceased wife, Alma, and their three daughters, Debbie, Donna and Darlene, for enabling him to become so involved in the industry.

Charlie MacKenzie and his wife, Anne, have two daughters, Anne Marie and Maureen. Charlie has served on the NS Cattle Producers Board for more than twelve years and was president for two terms. During this time, Charlie also represented NS on the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association. He joined the Beef Cattle Research Council in 2001 and continues to be a director. In addition to his dedication and lifelong service to the Maritime Beef Industry, Charlie also served his community. For 23 years he was a member of the Board of Directors for the Farmers Mutual Insurance Company, and continues to serve as a Director on the Eastern Nova Scotia Exhibition.
“Each one of you has demonstrated your passion for this industry and your willingness to share what you have learned with the next generation,” said Jennifer MacDonald, chair of the Maritime Beef Council, which hosted the event.” We are extremely pleased to be able to reward you for your efforts here today.”