Brant Farm of 2026’s winners credits close relationships with other farm families for their success

Alex McLellan and his mother, Sara listens to Jay as he thanks the BCFA for the 2026 Brant Farm award.

By Diane Baltaz

The McLellan family of JaySar Farms and J & S Grains became a beloved highlight of the Brant County Federation of Agriculture (BCFA) 85th anniversary banquet in Burford on March 7.

That’s because the BCFA declared this tight-knit, multi-generational family as the Brant Farm Award winners for 2026. During the banquet’s formal talks everyone from Ontario Federation of Agriculture president Drew Spoelstra to local politicians commended them.

Jay and Sara McLellan, their partner-son, Alex and family run JaySar Farms and J & S Grains, a 700 –acre operation on Salt Spring Road which grows corn, wheat, soybeans and hay, along with a dairy operation that was formed with Bill and Jean Emmott. They also provide custom work for neighbouring farms, which the BCFA said at the Burford fete assists in “fostering cooperation and mutual support within the local agricultural community.”

The BCFA chose the McLellans because “they embody the Brant Farm of the Year’s values of community, intergenerational, leadership, commitment and sustainable agricultural practices that keep farming and rural communities vibrant,” according to their press release.

Two past presidents, Mark Eddy and Colton Oughtred, narrated extensive curriculum vitae about the family’s accomplishments prior to presenting the award.

“The McLellans … represent the very best of agriculture in Brant County, excellence in farm management, strong family values, environmental stewardship and an extraordinary commitment to community service. JaySar Farms operate the dairy portion of the business while J & S Farms is responsible for the crop production, together forming an integrated and well-managed farming operation,” said Eddy.

The award recognized the McLellans’ life-long community involvement. Jay served the Onondaga Fire Department for 35 years and is currently its chief. He is also a director with District 6 Grain Farmers of Ontario, a former BCFA director; past chair of the Brant Dairy Producers Committee and of the Brant Dairy Cooperative, including participation in related school education events. Thirty years ago, he created and still leads the wheat station for Grade 5 students at Bite of Brant. Sara is active with the Brantford Rotary Club; and along with Jay, hosted multiple community meetings on their farm, along with involvement in two township churches and 4-H.

Similarly, Alex joined the Onondaga Fire Department 10 years ago, is involved with the District 6 Grain Growers and the BCFA, as well as coaching a youth volleyball team along with his wife, Madison. He also assists at the Bite of Brant wheat station.

Oughtred summarized their community commitment by saying, “For decades the McLellan family has contributed far beyond their own farm gate. They are widely respected for their willingness to lead, mentor, educate, and support others - whether fellow farmers, youth, or community members. The McLellans are not only a progressive farming operation but also a cornerstone of the Onondaga and Brant community.”

Jay outlined his farm history during his comprehensive, humour-filled speech during the award presentation. He told the sold-out crowd that he grew up on a 20-head dairy farm with 175 workable aces. The farm expanded in 1980 when his parents, Hugh and Verna, established a partnership with his brother Paul, who purchased a neighbouring farm, expanding the family operation to a 45-cow herd and 225 workable acres.

“There was no shortage of work so I continued working with them while I finished high school and college,” said Jay.

This young farmer married Sara in 1984, and moved into his grandmother’s farmhouse. He purchased his grandmother’s farm the following year, purchased quota for five cows and joined the family partnership, entitled Hugh McLellan and Sons. They expanded their workable acres by renting neighbours’ fields.

J & S Farms and JaySar Holsteins became established after Jay and Sara became involved with the Emmott family in 2000.

“In 2000, the Emmott family gave me the opportunity to start out on my own, setting up a joint venture and moving some quota to their operation. On May 1st 2000, we moved five cows from Paul’s barn to the Emmotts’.”

Because Holstein Canada required a prefix to register their herd, the McLellans modeled their choice after Hugh and Verna’s herd name: “My parents’ prefix was Huvern Holsteins, so it seemed fitting to make ours JaySar Holsteins.”

Since then, the McLellans increased their herd size and acreage.

“We got the opportunity to move into a modern robotic dairy barn thanks to the Emmotts. We expanded our workable acreage by straight rent or share crop agreements. Through trial and error and by watching what our neighbours were doing, we have reduced our tillage practices and adapted cover crops into our rotation.”

Alex worked at home full-time in 2018 after studying at Ridgetown Agricultural College and Olds College, and working part time at another farm. He presently joined the partnership, and has two children whom Jay called “two, third-generation farmers, Annie and Huge.”

McLellan praised his other sons and daughters’ involvement with the farm, including their eldest son, Scott, whom he called “J&S Farms’ first employee” prior to his taking employment with a Stoney Creek company.

McLellan credited multiple Onondaga individuals for either assisting the family on the farm, or instructing them in sustainable cropping practices or on how to do more on-the-farm repairs.

“People have been asking me what makes your farm stand out to receive this award. I’ve been asking myself the same question. Then it came to me. I have surrounded myself and my family with greatness,” he concluded.

He advised the county’s younger farmers to make time to participate in the rural community:

“I’ve been on a fair number of committees over the years. I didn’t learn a lot at the meetings-- I slept through most of them. But it is amazing the wealth of knowledge you can get from people with just a couple of beers and start a group discussion. I brought home many ideas and turned some into reality on J&S Farms. I want to say to the younger farmers here get involved. I know you don’t have the time, but the things I learned and the people I’ve met and got to know I will cherish for the rest of my life.”

This is the second public recognition of Jay’s community commitment - in 2022 he received the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Award. 