Paul Kelly recognized for his induction into the Ontario Agricultural Hall of Fame

ABOYNE – Paul Kelly was recognised last weekend by the Wellington County Historical Society to be inducted into the Ontario Agriculture Hall of Fame (OAHF).

The society held an induction ceremony for the Wellington County resident on October 20 in Aboyne Hall at the Wellington County Museum and Archives.

In attendance were representatives from the Wellington Federation of Agriculture, Ontario Agricultural Hall of Fame, Senator Rob Black, family, friends and members of the Wellington County Historical Society.

“People get awards and say they’re so humbled, but I always thought, ‘You wouldn’t get excited,'” Kelly said.

Now he understands the sentiment and expresses his immense gratitude to everyone who has helped him reach this point in his life.

Especially his wife and daughter, he added, dedicating part of his speech to them.

Kelly was inducted in 2022 because of his active work in the agricultural industry.

He has managed the Honey Bee Research Center (HBRC) at the University of Guelph since 1987, which includes the management of over 300 bee colonies in 13 apiaries, as well as two isolated apiaries on Lake Simcoe islands for breeding of specific stocks.

He also owns Golden Glow Apiaries near Fergus and sells his personal bee stock to new and experienced beekeepers across Ontario.

“This is important work, as much of our food depends on pollinators to maintain crop quality and yields, worth at least $400 million annually to Ontario agriculture,” he said. say your statement.

Bees are subject to a complex array of stresses, diseases and pests, his bio said.

Kelly has developed unique methods and innovations to counter some of these, making him an internationally recognized bee expert known for his skills as a gifted speaker, teacher and extensionist.

“It’s an honor to be included with all these people on the wall here,” Kelly said of the collection recognizing county inductees in the Ontario Agricultural Hall of Fame at the museum and archives.

“Paul is effectively educating the world as a global thought leader in pollinator education and research,” his description continued.

Those interested in learning more about Paul Kelly can visit the inductees section of the OAHF website at oahf.on.ca.