Second-generation president to lead Fergus Agricultural Society

FERGUS – Denise Kankainen of Guelph was elected president and chair of the Fergus Agricultural Society at the organization’s annual meeting on Jan. 30. 

Kankainen is a long-time community volunteer and will be the second generation in her family to serve the Fergus Agricultural Society as president. 

Her father, John Broadfoot of Fergus, was president from 1999 to 2000 and has been involved in the Fergus Fall Fair for 70 years. 

“Giving back to the community is so important and I really enjoy working with like-minded volunteers,” she says. 

“We work together to promote agriculture in the community and the end results always fill me up with a warm feeling.”

In addition to being involved in the Fergus Fall Fair beef cattle show and antiques section, Kankainen started organizing Breakfast on the Farm events in 2017 and serves as chair of the committee. 

She was raised on a dairy farm near Fergus and now works in the agriculture industry. 

Fergus Agricultural Society membership also elected Dillon Bernier as first vice-president, Jane Shaw as second vice-president, Jade Ritter as secretary and Paul Knierim as treasurer. Paul Rappolt will serve as past president. 

Mary Brander, Stephanie Matthews, Sarah Shaw and John Worton were elected as directors for a three-year term. 

Linda Wing, Randy Kent, Mary Fraser, Deb Veldhuizen, Sheree Bessey, Joan McBurney and Rebecca Hannam will continue their ongoing director terms. 

The Fergus Agricultural Society is a non-profit organization that aims to promote agriculture, celebrate rural lifestyles, recognize talent and inspire connections. 

The organization will host an Agriculture Education Day for Grade 5 Students, Breakfast on the Farm and the 189th Fergus Fall Fair in 2026. 

Event details will be announced at fergusfallfair.ca and on Facebook and Instagram in the coming months.