Smelskis of Shakespeare among inductees to Stratford-Perth Museum Agriculture Wall of Fame

Jean and Richard Smelski are pictured at their pumpkin patch east of Shakespeare, where they farmed and operated a popular retail business for more than 20 years. Gary West photo

By Gary West

A well-known Shakespeare-area farming couple with deep ties to both agriculture and community service will be among those honoured this year with induction to the Stratford-Perth Museum’s Agriculture Wall of Fame.

Richard and Jean Smelski of R.R. 1, Shakespeare, along with the late William “Harvey” Ische of the Mitchell area, have been selected as the 2026 inductees in recognition of their longstanding contributions to agriculture in Perth County.

For readers in the Gazette’s coverage area, the Smelskis are perhaps best known as the King and Queen of the Pumpkin Patch, operating a popular farmgate pumpkin business along Highway 7/8 east of Shakespeare for more than 20 years. The seasonal attraction became a destination for families throughout the region, while quietly supporting numerous charitable causes.

Few people realize the equivalent of the revenue generated from the pumpkin patch was donated to community initiatives, including sponsoring a room in the cancer ward at Stratford General Hospital, as well as supporting many other local charities.

Richard and Jean were also instrumental in the development of the Ontario Pork Congress (OPC) in Stratford. The couple were founding members in 1973, with the organization’s early headquarters located in their farmhouse for 38 years. Jean Smelski served as longtime secretary-treasurer while Richard Smelski held several leadership roles, including manager of the major industry tradeshow and serving as president in 1993.

Over the years, Richard Smelski oversaw the organization of the event, helping grow it into one of the most recognized pork industry shows in Canada, while also securing internationally respected speakers for its educational programming. At the same time, Jean Smelski balanced her volunteer work with a full-time teaching career at Conestoga College while raising their children, Owen and Pamela.

Their combined contributions to agriculture and the swine industry earned both Richard and Jean Smelski leadership awards from the Ontario Pork Congress and the Ontario Pork Board.

Richard Smelski also spent many years working as a swine specialist with OMAFRA in Stratford and later with Ralston Purina, where he received seven company awards, including one with international recognition. For more than two decades, he also wrote articles for industry publications, including Ontario Pork magazine, sharing insights with producers across the province.

Jean Smelski’s volunteer contributions have also been widely recognized. In 2024, she received the King Charles award for her dedication to community service. She continues to serve as a director with the Stratford General Hospital Foundation and volunteers at the Stratford Festival Theatre. She has also been actively involved with the Shakespeare Opti-Mrs. Club, Probus, Friendship Force and serves as an elder at Shakespeare Presbyterian Church.

Richard Smelski has also served the community through involvement with the Stratford-Perth Community Foundation, Ontario Pork Industry Council, Shakespeare Optimist Club, Fryfogel Inn board, the Stratford-Perth Museum board, the Trillium Foundation and the Ontario Agriculture Tribunal.

Most recently, the couple produced a new play titled The Table, presented at Shakespeare Presbyterian Church at the end of March to two sold-out audiences.

Also being honoured this year is the late William “Harvey” Ische of the Mitchell area, remembered as both a Jersey dairy farmer and agricultural writer. Ische began writing at age 19 under the pen name, Rusticus, contributing columns to the Stratford Beacon Herald and Farmers Advocate, often reflecting on farm life and the impact of world events on local agriculture.

Over the years, he built a respected Jersey dairy herd, winning numerous awards at fall fairs throughout Perth and Huron counties, including seven consecutive wins in the best-udder class at the Stratford Fall Fair.

Ische was also a leader in education, serving as secretary-treasurer of Seebach’s Hill School and later as a board member and president of the Mitchell District High School board, helping advocate for rural school busing.

Known for embracing innovation, Ische installed the first milking machine in Ellice Township in 1938 and helped others learn new farming techniques during challenging economic times in the 1930s.

Organizers say both inductees exemplify leadership, innovation and dedication to agriculture in Perth County.

The induction ceremony will take place during the Rotary Rural-Urban Banquet on Thursday, April 16 at 7 p.m. Tickets are available through local Rotary members or by contacting Gary West.