Three Albertans are set to be inducted into the Agriculture Hall of Fame – including the creator of the popular Spitz seeds snack product.
Dr. Tom Droog, Dr. Ieauan Evans and Mabel Church Hamilton are being recognized for their contributions to the Alberta agricultural industry.
“These three individuals are terrific champions for their industries and have dedicated their lives to ensuring Alberta’s agricultural industry progresses in new ways,” said Verlyn Olson, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, in a statement Thursday.
Dr. Tom Droog of DeWinton, Alta., and his late wife Emmy started growing sunflower seeds as an alternative crop that turned into Spitz which sells sunflower and pumpkin seed snack products that captured 75 per cent of the Canadian market.
Dr. Ieuan Evans of Parkland County determined that prairie soil lacking copper hampers cereal production. When the mineral is added, crop yields soared. He also created a species of cherry tree that is sold commercially throughout Canada and the U.S.
And Mabel Church Hamilton of Innisfail helped establish Angus cattle as one of the largest and most influential breeds in Canada. She is also a founding member of the Canadian Cattle Identification Agency, playing an instrumental role in establishing the national cattle identification program.
Since 1951, 126 people have been named to the Alberta Agriculture Hall of Fame.
Droog, Evans and Hamilton will be inducted at a ceremony on Oct. 5.
