John Sikkens receives Niagara Agricultural Lifetime Achievement Award

John Sikkens is presented with the Niagara Agriculture Lifetime Award by Rob Cosby and Niagara Federation Association president Chris Mullet-Koop. - Ann Marie Chechalk photo

By Ann Marie Chechalk

Everyone knows John Sikkens! He is a great committee member and a wonderful fundraiser. He is so well known in the community for his many endeavours he has been awarded the Niagara Agricultural Lifetime Achievement Award.

Farming has been in Sikkens’ family for generations. His father was from a farming family in The Netherlands. It was always a tradition to pass the family farm on to the oldest son and to name him Jans, or John. Because his father, Koert, was not the oldest, he decided to immigrate to Canada after the war in 1952 in the hopes of starting his own farm. At the age of two, John boarded his first and only cruise ship which took his father, mother Alberta, and younger sister Dianne, to Pier 21 in Nova Scotia. From there, his father got a job working for a farm in Shedden, Ontario. 

In 1960, at the age of 10, John’s family moved to Niagara. This marked the beginning of his journey as a farm operator. The landscape was vibrant and full of potential, and he quickly fell in love with the agricultural life that surrounded him. 

After settling into their new home, John began attending school but soon realized that his heart lay in helping his family on the farm. In 1962, when he was just 13 years old, he made the decision to stay home from school to contribute to the farming operation. It was a pivotal moment in his life: he traded textbooks for barn chores and classroom lectures for field work. 

They started with 20 Jersey and Holstein milking cows and 75 acres of land. The responsibilities were significant, but they instilled in John a strong work ethic and an appreciation for the land. John believed in improving and growing the farm so by 1976, another 150-acre farm was purchased and pure bred cows were added to the herd. John feels that one of his greatest achievements was getting married to his wife Ingrid in 1981. That same year they bought the farm from his parents. Their farm located in West Lincoln went under the name Niagara Dairy Farms. 

John and Ingrid have three sons and four daughters and are proud grandparents to 18 grandchildren. 

As the years went by, their farm operation grew significantly. What began as a modest 75 acres has now expanded to approximately 2,000 acres. This transformation did not happen overnight. It required dedication, hard work, and a willingness to adapt to changing agricultural practices. In 2000, John and Ingrid decided to sell their dairy quota and built a finishing barn for 2,000 hogs. The hog manure was needed for West Lincoln’s fine clay soil. It was spread after wheat and then a cover crop was planted. Lime has always been added to the soil to grow a great crop of alfalfa. In 2006, they partnered with their oldest son Jonathan to buy their third farm, adding another 300 acres and 2,000 more hogs. 

Today, they produce around 6,000 hogs each year along with staple crops such as corn, soybeans, wheat, and hay. Each commodity plays a crucial role in their operation and contributes to both local markets and broader agricultural networks. They continue to embrace modern farming techniques while still holding onto traditional values. 

John always enjoyed giving back to the community. In 1998, they proudly hosted the Niagara Plowing Match, an event that not only showcased agricultural practices but also fostered community spirit and engagement. John is a Deacon at his church where he actively participates in spiritual leadership and community outreach. In addition to his church duties, he volunteers at the Niagara Christian Gleaners, especially during the slower farm season. Over the years John has held various leadership positions within numerous farm organizations. He has served as president or director for several groups, including DHI, Holstein Club, Ontario Soil and Crop, Golden Horseshoe Soil and Crop, Ontario Pork, and Niagara Pork.  

John has played a crucial role in planning some of the entertainment for the West Niagara Fair, ensuring that these events are both enjoyable and memorable for all attendees. He has also held the executive positions for over ten years for the Welland Bowlers. 

As president of the local soil and crop organization, John implemented educational initiatives aimed at improving farming practices. He organized tillage and manure spreader demonstration days that provided farmers with practical knowledge on effective soil management techniques. Additionally, he facilitated access to resources by offering soil probes and discounts on soil samples for club members. To further support farmers in enhancing their soil quality, he secured funding that allowed them to receive up to $200 when purchasing lime to improve pH levels in clay soils. Through these efforts, John has demonstrated a commitment to advancing agricultural practices while fostering a sense of community among local farmers that he hopes to continue for some years still.

“Coming to this event I did not know what to expect. All my life I’ve been the one organizing things, tonight I just had to show up. I have never smiled so often for pictures,” he said with a laugh as he thanked his nominator.

“Thank you also to my wife Ingrid who is always by my side supporting me, my kids that are here, my son even came all the way from Oregon.”

That comment led someone in the audience to shout out: “of course he did, it’s not every day your dad receives a lifetime achievement award!”

“And all my beautiful grandchildren who are here also. Many of my children are involved in agriculture and agriculture organizations. I am happy that they too have agriculture as part of their lives. Thank you to everyone for the support tonight and for being here,” Sikkens said.