Elmer Waugh
Born 1912 in the Wilmot Valley PEI, Elmer Waugh began farming at an early age at his family farm. He ran a mixed operation which included potatoes, grain, laying hens, dairy and beef cattle.
Due to the diversity of the operation and a lot of hard work and determination, the Waugh farm was successful during a time when many businesses and people were struggling to survive. His own farm experiences provided Elmer with the knowledge of many challenges facing farmers and of the vital role farmers play in society. As well, these early years on the farm provided him with the knowledge that farmers needed to be organized and required a strong voice to ensure growth within the industry.
Elmer was a member of the local Farm Radio Forum group in the late forties and active in 4-H, Junior Farmers and the Freetown Heifer Club. He was one of the founding members of the PEI Federation of Agriculture in 1941. He soon became a director and then President of the Prince County Federation of Agriculture. From there he went to the Provincial Board and was elected Island President of the Federation of Agriculture in 1969 and to the Board of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture in 1971.
Elmer was elected director of the Dairymen’s Association in February 1944 and later served as director of the PEI Fluid Milk Producers Board. Elmer was one of the individuals responsible for the organization of the PEI Egg Marketing Board and served both as the organization’s manager and President of the Board. Elmer was also a member of the Potato Committee, responsible for co-op potato marketing into British Columbia.
Elmer Waugh’s contribution to the agriculture industry has always been focused on fair and equitable treatment and consideration for farmers and their families. He always tried to ensure that agriculture was accorded the profile it deserved both in provincial and national forums.
His most significant contribution in this area was his participation on the Premier’s Farm Policy Advisory Board. Though he defended the farmer’s position with a great deal of passion, his interventions were always skillful, measured and thoughtful and, above all, respectful of different points of view.
Elmer also recognized the importance of community commitment, and extended his community involvement beyond the borders of Wilmot Valley, serving as Chair of the Land Development Corporation, Director of the PEI Lending Authority and member of the PEI Marketing Council
He and his wife Audrey, have lived in the area their entire married life. He chaired the Wilmot Valley Community Hall Committee, served as President of the Excelsior Division of Wilmot Valley, chaired the Wilmot Valley Historical Society, served as member of the Summerside Board of Trade and was a school board trustee. He is a member of the Summerside Co-op, has been recognized during International Year of the Volunteer, was President of Men’s Fellowship, is a member of his Church Historical Society and helped organize and participated in the 1991 Church Assembly. In 2002, Elmer was awarded the Queen’s Jubilee Medal.
Nominated by the Prince Edward Island Federation of Agriculture, Elmer Waugh is a indeed a fitting inductee into the Atlantic Agricultural Hall of Fame.