Ontario Farm Family Gifts $1M to Establish New Professorship in Poultry Nutrition
By Amanda Brodhagen, Farms.com
A Seaforth, Ont., farm family has gifted $1 million to the University of Guelph to enhance its capacity in poultry nutrition research.
The generous donation from James and Brenda McIntosh, owners of McIntosh Poultry Farms Ltd. will create a new professorship position in poultry nutrition. The gift was made as part of the University’s BetterPlanet Project, a $200 million fundraising campaign which aims at attracting funding in key areas such as food, environment and health. The campaign is a call-to-action to help build a better planet.
The funding will be spread out over a 10-year period, with the Ontario Agricultural College (OAC) providing base funding for a permanent position in the Department of Animal and Poultry Science. Rob Gordon, dean of OAC calls the McIntosh’s long-time friends, noting their commitment to agriculture and food production.
“Thanks to their commitment and generosity, Guelph will remain a leader in poultry research and education globally. Through their gift, we will be able to continue to develop the next generation of leaders for this important and evolving industry,” said Gordon.
Both James and Brenda are OAC alumni. James obtained his undergraduate degree from OAC in 1959 and a master’s degree in poultry nutrition in 1961. It was at the University of Guelph where James and Brenda met.
“The OAC is where I met Brenda, my wife and business partner, and the friendships I developed proved invaluable in my career in agriculture. Plus, being a graduate of OAC provided an immediate introduction and connection to others in the agriculture industry who graduated from the same school,” said McIntosh.
The professorship position is expected to be filled in 2014 and will focus on industry issues, such as feed efficiency and other production interests to poultry producers.