McLellans Recognized for Excellence in Farming and Stewardship
- 20 hours ago
- 5 min read
Casandra Turnbull
Managing Editor
Four generations. Seven hundred acres. Early mornings that start before sunrise. For Jay and Sara McLellan and their son Alex, farming in Onondaga isn’t just a business, it’s a way of life. That dedication has earned Jaysar Dairy and J & S Farms the 2026 Brant Farm Award.
The family will be formally honoured at the Brant County Federation of Agriculture’s annual banquet on March 7.
The Brant Farm Award recognizes excellence in farm management, environmental stewardship and contributions to the rural community. According to Brant County Federation of Agriculture Vice President Jean Emmott, the nomination form includes a detailed questionnaire “highlighting the farm operation, on-farm best management standards and environmental stewardship” as well as leadership and volunteerism within the community.
An undisclosed panel of agriculture-knowledgeable individuals reviewed the submissions before the winner was announced to directors at the February board meeting, explained Emmott. Jaysar Dairy and J & S crop farms operate approximately 700 acres and provide custom farm work for neighbouring farms, fostering cooperation and mutual support within the agricultural community.
Jay grew up working on the family farm. After marrying Sara in 1984, he joined the family partnership in 1985, operating as Hugh McLellan & Sons alongside his parents and brother. In 2000, the partnership concluded, and J & S Farms was established as a cash crop operation growing corn, soybeans, wheat and hay. A joint venture dairy operation was formed with Bill and Jean Emmott.
“The support of the Emmott family has assisted with the increased size and productivity of our dairy herd, including the addition of a new robotic dairy barn built by them in 2015,” the family noted in an interview with the Paris Independent.
“Through share cropping and different opportunities, we increased our cash crop side of the operation considerably. Our son Alex had been working part time for the farm since he was young and he joined the operation full time in 2019,” explained Jay.
Today, the farm remains a family-centred enterprise rooted in four generations of stewardship.
“Our family has farmed on the same land for four generations in a close-knit community of neighbours and farmers,” said Jay.
Life on a dairy and cash crop farm begins early and changes with the seasons.
“We are at the barn at 6 am to work with the cows. After that our days depend on seasonal work. There are on-going building maintenance, cleaning and upkeep of the farm properties throughout the year,” said Alex.
“Planning, purchasing supplies, bookkeeping and selling crops are a necessary part of some days as well. During the winter we maintain the equipment to ensure that it is working properly when the growing season begins. In the spring, summer and fall, the workday is longer as we work in the fields, preparing the land and planting in the spring, managing the crops and harvesting in the summer and fall. All while maintaining the equipment so it is always ready when needed.”
Environmental responsibility is a key component of the award’s criteria.
“We have changed our farm practices over the years to use minimal tillage, crop rotations, and cover crops to keep the soil healthy and producing. These practices also help minimize fuel consumption and our carbon footprint,” said Jay.
“Involvement in farm committees and attendance at workshops offered by farm organizations keep us updated on innovations in our industry to help us farm in the most responsible way,” added Sara.
The use of robotics and technology has also become part of modern operations.
“Research and innovation, robotics and technology are all part of farming today. With a cell phone farmers can see what to expect from the weather and check commodity prices from the seat of a tractor. Advances in technology provide information to the farmer every day,” she explained.
Agriculture remains Brant County’s leading industry, producing foods from all food groups locally.
“I think agriculture is important to this community because it plays a major role in our economy, there are a lot of jobs stemming from agriculture and into the food industry. 1 in 9 people in Ontario work in the agriculture and food industry, making it one of the largest industries in the province,” said Sara. She added, “I always enjoy seeing neighbourhood kids that aren’t necessarily from farms come out and help farmers with different jobs. It helps them build a good work ethic that will in turn help them in future employment.”
Beyond the farm gate, the McLellan family is deeply rooted in community service.
Jay has served 35 years with the Onondaga Fire Department and is now Chief. He is also a director with District 6 Grain Farmers, past Chair of the Brant Dairy Producer Committee and of the Brant Milk Cooperative, and has presented the Wheat station for Grade 5 students at Bite of Brant for three decades. Sara is a member of the Brantford Rotary Club and serves on various committees.
Alex has been a firefighter for 10 years and has volunteered at Bite of Brant for a decade. He and his wife Madison also volunteer as coaches with Brant Youth Volleyball.
“We’ve always felt it takes a community to raise a family, and we’ve been blessed to be part of a community that is a very supportive close circle. From this we’ve taken on roles in the fire department and agriculture industry to give back to a community that has helped raise our family and farm,” said Jay.
“Our family values have been passed down from generation to generation. As a family, we have all been involved in 4-H from a young age teaching us to use our head, heart, hands and health for our club, our community and our country. Through involvement in community organizations and agricultural committees, our church and community organizations and through other volunteer work we give back to the community that has given so much to us,” said Alex. Receiving the award as a family is deeply meaningful.
“We really appreciate being chosen for the award, as we said before the community has really helped shape our family and our farm into what it is today. I would advise anybody to pursue a career in agriculture, as there are many opportunities that don’t need any on farm experience,” said Jay.
“Without the support of family and community our operation would not be what it is today. Our community is giving back to us in such honourable way by choosing J & S Farms as the recipient of the Brant Farm of the Year Award,” he added.
Comments