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. We’ve been listening and hearing from our membership on everything that’s concerning them; from trade and tariffs to all the other issues that we’re facing, our board as well as staff are working hard to advocate on your behalf at all levels of government.”
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.”
Angela Leach, a director with the BCFA, then took a moment to recognize the current and past presidents who were in the room including, Chris Stuart, Mark Eddy, Colton Oughtred , Sandra Vos, Chris Kyle, Steve Sickle, Larry Davis, Ruth Ann Charlton, Alan Kelley, Tom Pate, Willy Hilgendag and Bob Lock.
After remarks from County of Brant Mayor David Bailey, this year’s BCFA 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 is a first-year student at the University of Guelph where she’s pursuing a Bachelor of Science in chemistry,” said Chris Stuart, BCFA president. “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.”
“The Agriculture Award goes to Sofia Arva of Brantford. Sophia is a third-year student studying at the University of Guelph where she’s pursuing a Bachelor of Commerce in food and agriculture business,” continued Stuart. “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. 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.”
While Coleman was unable to attend the event, Ward 5 County Councillor Brian Coleman accepted the award on her behalf.
Sara and Jay McLellan, and their son Alex of J&S Farms, were later brought up to receive the Brant Farm of the Year Award.
The purpose of the Brant Farm of the Year Award is to honour 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 past BCFA 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.”
During their speech, Jay took the opportunity to talk about the history of their operation, and to thank his family members, as well as the fellow farmers who contributed to their success over the years, noting there were many Brant County farms that were worthy of the award.
He also encouraged the young farmers in the room to get involved in their community.
“…I’ve been on a fair number of committees over the years and there is an amazing wealth of knowledge you can get from people,” said Jay. “…I brought home many ideas and turned some into reality on J&S Farms. I just want to say to you young farmers here, get involved. I know you don’t have time, I didn’t either but the things I learned, the people I met and got to know, I will cherish for the rest of my life.”
Sara then took a moment to speak about her husband and his commitment to not just their farming operation, but his family and community too.
“Jay McLellan is the hardest working person I know. He also is one of the most social people. Using that social strength, he has built many relationships that you’ve heard about tonight, and are the foundation of what we do here in Brant County,” she said. “He’s dedicated to the farm business. He has shared his work ethic with our children, and they have applied it to their work experience at their jobs and in their community. He has worked alongside both young and old in the community, contributing and making a difference where he can. Jay gives back to our community in Brant County every day, and it has been rewarding to live a life with him for 42 years. Thank you, Jay, for all you do for our family and our community, and thank you for all you do to build me up.”
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. Reach her at kimberly.dejong@brantbeacon.ca.
