Three new inductees welcomed into Essex County Agricultural Hall of Fame

Robert Repko, Murray McLeod (centre) and Leslie Huffman Balsillie (second from right) were inducted into the Essex County Agricultural Hall of Fame last Thursday night at the Harrow Agricultural Exhibition Hall. Repko was represented by his sister Karen (second from left). They were congratulated by Essex MPP Anthony Leardi (left) and Essex Mayor Sherry Bondy (right).

The Essex County Agricultural Hall of Fame grew by three members last week.

Leslie Huffman Balsillie, Murray McLeod and Robert Repko were inducted last Thursday night at the Harrow Agricultural Exhibition Hall. Families, friends and dignitaries were on hand to pay tribute to the trio of new members at what was the 31st annual ceremony.

Huffman Balsillie’s nomination was sponsored by the Colchester South-Harrow Agricultural Society, represented by Brian Renaud. She was raised on a family farm in Harrow, and would later graduate from Harrow High School and the Ontario Agriculture College, the latter in 1978.

Starting in 1979, Huffman Balsillie was a lecturer at Ridgetown College for two years. From 1981–2016, she worked in OMAFRA extension, specializing in horticulture, weed science and apple production.

Huffman Balsillie and husband Doug Balsillie began farming at “The Fruit Wagon” in Harrow in 1984 and continue to this day. Partnering with daughters Janelle and Megan, they opened the Carolinia Cider Company on their farm in 2023.

A member of a long list of farm and rural organizations, Huffman Balsillie has authored “Planting New Apple Orchards in Ontario” and other online modules. She was also credited with hosting the Southwestern Ontario Grape Roundtable to discuss managing severe winter storm damage. A lunch and learn speaker series for fruit growers was also hosted by Huffman Balsillie.

Community involvement includes being a Harrow Fair exhibitor, a choir member at Harrow United Church, on the executive of the Harrow Electric Eels swim team and a Girl Guide leader. She was recognized with the “Golden Apple Award” in 2014, the International Fruit Tree Association recognized her in 2023 with the Outstanding Extension Award. In 2005, she was an OMAFRA Bravo nominee for Innovation, and Commitment to Service and was a finalist.

Hall of Fame rep Brenda Anger was also part of the induction.

Huffman Balsillie said “this is very special” and noted her father and grandfather have been heavily involved in agriculture. 

“My dad always said I was born with dirt under my fingernails,” she said. 

Working with young people is something she encouraged, with Huffman Balsillie expressing her gratitude to her family for their support.

McLeod and his family moved from Windsor to Cottam when he was 16-years-old and while he had a career as an electrician with Ford Motor Co, he also operated a fruit and vegetable farm since 1980 with wife Helen and their children. He became involved with the Essex County Plowman’s Association, the organization that sponsored his induction, in 1988. He held numerous positions with the organization. He was also heavily involved with the 4-H Club and Essex County Federation of Agriculture.

During his introduction, Hall of Fame rep Harold Douglas and son Adam McLeod noted McLeod’s biggest contribution to the agricultural community was changing the Fall tradition of buying your pumpkins and decorations at a store or roadside stand, to an all-morning or afternoon family affair where families got to enjoy a wagon ride to the patch to pick out their own pumpkins right off the vine, tour the corn maze, enjoy a game of mini golf and a snack while taking lots of family photos and creating memories. Thousands of children from across Windsor-Essex Schools visited the farm in the fall and in June.

McLeod was invested in the agriculture industry, attended expos and conferences and hosted Ontario Minister of Agriculture and Food Jack Riddell at his farm in the late 1980’s. Outside of agriculture, McLeod was involved in Essex Minor Hockey and is active in Cottam United Church. He was also a municipal politician in Gosfield North and, after amalgamation, Kingsville. 

McLeod is a past recipient of the director of the year award by the Essex County Plowmen’s Association. McLeod and his family were recognized as the BMO Farm Family of the Year for Essex County in 2013, an award presented to farming families who are active in their community and exemplify the ideals of rural life and traditional agricultural values.

In addition to thanking his family, McLeod said he made many connections over the years.

“In all these years I’ve been involved in farming associations, the biggest thing is the friendships you make,” said McLeod. “It makes me never want to give it up.”

Repko was recognized by his sponsor, the Essex County Steam and Gas Engine Museum, represented by president Gary Struhar and numerous members.

Repko was recognized posthumously, as he passed away in 2022 at the age of 62.

Repko was described in his introduction as a proficient tractor driver by age three. He attended the University of Guelph and grew cash crops such as tomatoes, cucumbers and sweet corn on his Kingsville farm. He served as a director on the board of La Co-operative de Pointe-aux-Roches, a past director of the Essex County Soil and Crop Improvement Association and a member of the Conservation Club. He was also a longtime member of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture and the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters beginning in 1986.

At the time of his passing, Struhar said he was the secretary of the Essex County Steam and Gas Museum as well as a director for the Essex County Agricultural Hall of Fame Association.

Repko was an early experimenter in growing Winter Canola in Essex County as early as the 1990’s. He was described as always willing to participate in varietal, chemical or tillage trials. He was also crediting with establishing two grape vineyards in the area by guiding and working with the landowners.

Two 1900’s steam tractors were restored thanks to Repko’s involvement and one of them was used to operate the sawmill at the museum. He was honoured in Blythe in 2019 by being awarded the “Best Presented Steam Engine Award by the Huron Pioneer Threshers.

Repko was also an avid outdoorsman and a supporter of the Delta Waterfowl and Kingsville Hunt Camp. He received the Ontario Stewardship International Volunteer of the Year and the Volunteer Contribution Honour Award. In 2023, after his passing the Essex Soil and Crop Improvement Association recognized him with an award for Exemplary Volunteer Effort.

Repko’s sister Karen accepted the award and said the family was honoured by it. She said “whatever Rob touched turned to gold” and was happy his two steam engines are now owned by the same family.

“It’s a great night to honour special people in the community,” said Rochelle Deslippe, a member of the Hall of Fame committee and emcee. 

Deslippe said they want to honour their history but also encourage young people to get into farming. 

“I’m really proud to be a farmer,” she said. “Let’s keep our history and our future going.”

Three new inductees welcomed into Essex County Agricultural Hall of Fame

By Ron Giofu