The Canadian Agricultural Hall of Fame has announced the names of the agricultural ambassadors who will join the ranks as the organization’s 2025 inductees. John Anderson, Dori Gingera-Beauchemin, Gaétan Desroches, Joe Hudson, Dennis Laycraft and Dr. Peter Sikkema will be formally inducted on Saturday, November 8 at a ceremony in Victoria, British Columbia.
“Every year we welcome inductees who have made impactful contributions across so many segments of Canada’s agriculture industry,” says Canadian Agricultural Hall of Fame chair Phil Boyd. “As our industry continues to innovate and advance, it’s important to reflect and recognize the lifetime contributions these individuals have made to strengthening the world-class agri-food industry we enjoy in Canada. Our 2025 inductees reflect groundbreaking work in primary production, value-added and food retail, policy making, commodity organizations, cooperatives, research and extension.”
John Anderson is an innovative entrepreneur and international business leader who has dedicated his 50-year career to Oppy – a global fresh produce food retail business that relies on Canadian agriculture. From his early days in the warehouse to CEO, Anderson transformed Oppy with his vision and relentless dedication to excellence to advance sustainable agriculture and support local agricultural communities. Under his leadership, Oppy made groundbreaking advancements in agricultural practices and distribution methods while continuously focusing on championing the success of the Canadian agriculture industry. His enduring focus on sustainability, farm wages and community welfare has earned the company, and him, global acclaim and numerous awards. John Anderson lives in West Vancouver, BC and was nominated by the Honourable Wally Oppal.