Agriculture advocate and asparagus grower recognized with award

The OFVGA presented Brenda Lammens with the Industry Award of Merit

By Jennifer Jackson

The Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers’ Association (OFVGA) recognized an active member of the horticulture industry and supporter of women in agriculture – Brenda Lammens.

Together with her husband, Lammens has operated her Norfolk County family asparagus farm, Spearit Farms, for more than thirty years , according to a Jan. 12 release.

Lammens has been involved in the industry for years, serving with numerous organizations and on a range of committees, including the Asparagus Farmers of Ontario and the OFVGA itself. She worked as a director for seven years and formally became the first female chair of the OFVGA.

Lammens has also promoted the horticulture industry through involvement in committees such as the Agricultural Adaptation Council and the South Central Ontario Region.

Brenda Lammens Source: OFVGA

 “Brenda’s passion for the industry is unsurpassed. She has always been committed to making a difference for the growers she represented and that commitment is well rewarded by the widespread respect she has earned from government, industry and the farm community,” said Jan VanderHout, OFVGA chair, in the release.

Lammens has a particular passion for the community of women in agriculture. She was a former recipient of the American Agri-Women’s Vision Award and was selected to join the advisory committee of the Canadian Agricultural Human Resources Council’s Supporting the Advancement of Women in Agriculture initiative.

The OFVGA presented Lammens with the award Jan. 11 at the association’s annual banquet.

Farms.com has reached out to Lammens for her reflection on the award and her contributions to the agricultural and horticultural industry.