LOIS JAMES
Lois James and her husband, Mack, established Spring Valley Farms, a 100 head purebred Hereford cattle operation near Carleton Place. Well respected, they have sold animals all over Canada, United States as well as to Russia and Kazahkstan. Lois represented Canada in 1980 when the World Hereford Conference was held in Uraguay. In 2001, she and Mack received the Canadian Hereford Association Honour Roll – the highest recognition in the breed in Canada – reflecting the high esteem in which they were held by fellow breeders.
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A committed member of the Rocky Ridge Women’s Institute, Lois was recognized for her decades of service in 2018 by being awarded the title of Honorary Life Member. A member for 75 years until her 96th birthday, Lois held every executive position within the branch and was known for guiding and leading members to learn, share and work for positive change within Lanark County and beyond it’s borders to all of Ontario. She was recognized on the provinvial level when she was the Top Recruitrer for Ontario in both 2011 and 2012.
Lois was also a dedicated mentor to youth as she was a 4-H leader for many years, particularly the garden and homemaking clubs. Her outstanding leadership was acknowledged by the Minister of Agriculture Bill Goodfellow in 1957 where he thanked Lois for “the contribution you have made in furthering the development of programmes of interest to the girls and women of rural Ontario.”
Lois was an agricultural historian who contributed to the research and writing of the 275 page book “Hereford Memoirs of Ontario”. She also supported the volunteers and participants of the Ottawa Winter Fair and Ottawa Farm Show by serving on the Hospitality Committee for 30 years.
Lois’ resume shows decades of commitment for the betterment of rural life in Lanark County and beyond. A proven beef breeder, a leader within the Women’s Insistute and a mentor to youth through 4-H are all examples of the positive influence Lois’s legacy has left on the agricultural community.