J. Cyrice Godbout

New Brunswick

Raised in Madawaska County in New Brunswick, J. Cyrice Godbout has played a key role in his community, in agriculture and agribusiness not only in the Madawaska area but throughout the Province of New Brunswick. Born in St. Bloi, Quebec in 1906, he moved with his family at an early age to a farm in the community of Saint-Andre, New Brunswick which he acquired from his father in 1927.

Widely recognized for his work in developing the Province's grain industry and for the production of pedigreed seed oats, barley and wheat for use by his peers, his dedicated efforts resulted in his being named a Robertson Associate of the Canadian Seed Growers' Association in 1980. In addition the family farm also produced hogs and potatoes.

Knowing the importance of organizations in developing an agriculture industry, Cyrice Godbout was an active participant serving as Secretary of the Saint-Andre local of the New Brunswick Agricultural Society, as Secretary of the Grand Falls Livestock Shipping Club, as a Director of the N.B. Potato Marketing Board, as a Director of the N.B. Pork Marketing Board, as a Director of the Madawaska Co-op and as a Director of the Grand Falls United Farmers Store.

His dedication to the community led to his serving as a Councillor of the Saint-Andre Parish, as Warden of Madawaska County, as a Director of the Acadian Federation of Credit Unions, as President of the Saint-Andre Credit Union and as President of the Maritime Fertilizer Council. His community has benefited, as well, through his involvement in private industry. He has served as President of Grand Falls Milling Co. since its incorporation in 1946. This enterprise has evolved into a major agribusiness including seed, feed grain and fertilizer handling and retail facilities, a hardware store and a construction firm.

Cyrice Godbout is married to the former Laure Poitras. They have 11 living children.

The Atlantic Agricultural Hall of Fame is pleased to recognize the contributions of J. Cyrice Godbout. Mr. Godbout was nominated by the New Brunswick Federation of Agriculture.