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Former CBC farm commentator George Atkins died of kidney failure early Monday in Wiarton, Ont. He was 92.
Atkins also had deep roots in the creation of JFAO, but was most well known for his founding of Farm Radio International.
From "A Rural Legacy"
(significantly paraphrased)
In an upper room at Queen's Park in Toronto on April 4, 1944, after a long day of debate by 48 young men & women representing Junior Farmers and
Junior Institutes in 24 counties, George Stacker of Peterborough, and George Atkins (then) of Halton, made a motion to create one provincial organization dedicated to "creating a deeper and more permanent interest in the agricultural and social life of the community under the motto -- Self-Help and Community Betterment." The motion was carried unanimously -- resulting in the formation of the Junior Farmers' Association of Ontario. 65 years later, the legacy of opportunities and relationships that grew continues, for which thousands across this province are incredibly grateful.
George was the delegate from Halton County Junior Farmers at the April
4th, 1944 meeting at the Parliament Buildings in Toronto, at which the
JFAO was launched. In fact, after much discussion and debate, history
shows that a motion was made by George Stacker of Peterboro and seconded
by George Atkins of Halton, and passed unanimously by the 48 delegates
attending, representing Junior Farmer and Junior Institute clubs from
across Ontario, to form one Provincial Junior Farmers Association. This
Association was dedicated to "creating a deeper and more permanent
interest in the agricultural and social life of the community under the
Motto - 'Self Help and Community Betterment'."
Each March for many years, as the CBC's senior farm broadcaster, George
Atkins presented his Saturday noon Farm Report live from the Annual
Conference of the JFAO, in Memorial Hall at the University of Guelph. The
program would feature current Junior Farmer activites, with JFAO leaders
actively reporting. And it would close with all the 400 to 500 Junior
Farmers in attendance, singing the Junior Farmer Song, as George gave his
trade mark "Serving agriculture, the basic industry, this is George
Atkins".
George was in attendance at the JFAO's 60th anniversary event in
Orangeville in 2004, but was not able to attend the 65th this past summer.
A Memorial Service for George will be held on Saturday, January 23, 2010
at 2:00 pm at Zion-Amabel United Church in Sauble Beach, Ont., with
visitation at 1:00 pm. Memorial donations to the organization he founded,
Farm Radio International would be appreciated. George founded this major
farm radio service for developing country farmers, mainly in Africa, 30
years ago. For more info go to www.farmradio.org or 1-888-773-7717
Many tributes to George Atkins have been / are being published across
Ontario, and around the world. His passing was noted on the CBC National
News on Monday evening, Nov. 30, with a report by Peter Mansbridge.
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