Roderick Elmer MacDonald

Prince Edward Island

Roderick Elmer MacDonald was born May 15, 1943 in Prince Edward Island. A resident of Augustine Cove, he received his early education at Augustine Cove School and Kensington High School before attending Prince of Wales College in Charlottetown.

Mr. MacDonald joined his father's farm operation in 1962. In 1968 he and brother Earle began a farming operation upon the death of their father. In l987, Mid Isle Farms was formed with the MacDonald brothers being one of seven farm families owning the enterprise. In 1991 Elmer's son, Duane, joined the operation.

Mr. MacDonald has a strong dedication and keen interest in the agricultural industry on Prince Edward Island. His interest is for those earning a living from agriculture and also that we must be good stewards of the land for the sake of future generations.

During his career, Mr. MacDonald has been a leader in agriculture and his community. Mr. MacDonald served as Chairman of the Potato Marketing Board, Atlantic Provinces representative on the Canadian Horticultural Council, Commissioner for the Royal Commission on Land, and Chairman of the Task Force on Agriculture. In 1996 Elmer assumed chairmanship of the Round Table on Resource Land Use and Stewardship. They will study several critical issues and present these findings to government by December 1997.

Mr. MacDonald received the Agrologist of the Year Award in 1991. The citation recognized "the contribution he made to agriculture through his Leadership abilities. This was instrumental in promoting the agricultural industry in his community, his province and his country."

Elmer has been involved with the local Crapaud Exhibition for over thirty years. He believes strongly that fairs and exhibitions are excellent opportunities to showcase the primary industry on Prince Edward Island. Elmer has provided leadership locally as President of the Crapaud Exhibition since 1982 and provincially as President of P.E.I. Association of Exhibitions, 1991-1994. He is on the board of directors for the Atlantic Winter Fair and is currently second vice-president of the Canadian Association of Exhibitions.

Elmer and his Board introduced tractor pulling to the Island in 1980 as part of the Crapaud Exhibition.

In 1991, Elmer was one of two Canadians recognized with a National Industry award by the Canadian Association of Exhibitions for distinguished service.

Elmer was nominated by the Prince Edward Island Women's Institute for induction into the Atlantic Agricultural Hall of Fame in appreciation of his dedication to the agricultural industry.