Brant farmers gather to celebrate BCFA 85th anniversary
- Mar 17
- 4 min read
Kimberly De Jong
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Nearly 200 people celebrated the Brant County Federation of Agriculture’s 85th anniversary during its annual banquet at Blessed Sacrament Parish Hall in Burford on Saturday, March 7, 2026.
The Brant County Federation of Agriculture (BCFA) is a county unit of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) that is run by a board of volunteer directors. Its mission is to support, protect and celebrate the industry while advocating for issues impacting local agriculture.
Made up of farmers, producers, and agricultural professionals from all sectors, the BCFA’s primary purpose is to promote the interests of agriculture in the County, advocate for policy changes at local, provincial, and federal levels, and to provide valuable resources and support for its members, including community awards and scholarships for high school and post-secondary students.
The annual banquet celebrates local agriculture and agribusiness in the County of Brant, while giving local farmers the chance to network and socialize.
Following dinner, which was provided by Giles Catering, OFA President Drew Spoelstra took to the stage to commend the BCFA for its commitment to the industry and to highlight the association’s ongoing support for farmers across the province.
“On behalf of the board directors and the staff at the OFA, congratulations to the folks here in Brant County on celebrating your 85 year anniversary,” he said. “There’s a lot going on in the world, a lot of things out of our control, but the OFA is certainly doing our best to stay on top of all the things that are affecting farmers right across Ontario.”
Will Bouma, MPP for Brantford-Brant, Dan Muys, MP for Flamborough–Glanbrook–Brant North, and Larry Brock, MP for Brantford–Brant South–Six Nations, all had the opportunity to speak about the importance of the local farming community.
“What a celebration–85 Incredible Years of exemplary farming in Brant County, which certainly put us on the map. Thank you for all that you have done. Tonight is about honouring our entire farming community and the many, many generations of farmers whose hard work, resilience and commitment have really shaped rural Brant County,” said Brock. “We are deeply grateful for all that you have done each day to put food on our tables and to care for the land that continues to sustain us all. Thank you to everyone who has helped build and sustain the Brant County Federation of Agriculture over the past eight decades. and a special thank you to the organizers and the dozens of volunteers for bringing us together tonight to celebrate the people who work to keep rural Brant County strong and free.”
After remarks from Angela Leach, director of the BCFA and County of Brant Mayor David Bailey, the federation’s scholarship winners, Hannah Coleman and Sofia Arva, were recognized for their achievements in securing the Open Award and the Agricultural Award. Each received $1,500 to support their post-secondary education.
The winner of the Open Award is Hannah Coleman of Brantford. Hannah Coleman, a first-year student at the University of Guelph pursuing a Bachelor of Science in chemistry, received the Open Award.
“Hannah has been heavily involved in her community with numerous achievements in 4-H, completing over 30 clubs. She enjoys playing piano and helping on her family’s dairy farm. Hannah also hopes to one day teach after completing teachers’ college,” said Stuart.
While Coleman was unable to attend the event, Ward 5 County Councillor Brian Coleman accepted the award on her behalf.
The Agriculture Award was presented to Sofia Arva of Brantford, who’s studyihg at the University of Guelph in the Bachelor of Commerce in food and agriculture business program.
“She too has been heavily involved in our community with achievements in 4-H, competitive dance, and she served as a senior leader at the after school program for the County of Brant,” said Stuart. “Sofia also enjoys playing soccer and being involved in the OAC Agribusiness and Farm Management Club, the OAC Soil and Crop Club and recreational dance. She is pursuing a long-term career in the agrifood industry.”
Later in the event, the Brat Farm of the Year Award was presented to Sara and Jay McLellan, and their son Alex of J&S Farms.
The Brant Farm of the Year Award honours “a farming operation that embodies the values of community, leadership, inter-generational commitment and sustainable agriculture practices that keep farming viable and rural communities strong,” said BCFA past president Mark Eddy. “The McLellan’s are highly deserving of the Brant Farm of the Year Award because they 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 operates 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. Owned and operated by Jay and Sara McLellan, along with their son Alex as a partner, the Farm reflects the principles this award was intended to honour.”
Following the formal program, attendees spent time speaking with the McLellans and the winners of the silent auction, which boasted over 30 prizes, were later announced. Proceeds from the auction went back to support Canadian Foodgrains Bank and local food banks in the County.
Kimberly De Jong’s reporting is funded by the Canadian government through its Local Journalism Initiative. The funding allows her to report rural and agricultural stories from Blandford-Blenheim and Brant County.
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