Fred A. Wells

Newfoundland & Labrador

Born in Little Bay, Notre Dame Bay, now of Robinsons, Newfoundland, Fred Wells was a member of the Newfoundland Rangers from 1945 until 1947, a Ranger with the Newfoundland Forest Services in 1948 and was also employed at Harmon Airforce Base in Stephenville after the 2nd World War.

He operated a vegetable farm until 1959 when he started Hilltop Poultry Farm which continued for thirty years, when fire completely destroyed his 15,000 layer operation. In 1960 he started raising beef and sheep and continues to do so along with producing top quality forage for local dairy operations around the province.

Mr. Wells was married in 1949 to Jane Shears of Robinsons. They raised three sons, two of which are involved in farming.

Mr. Wells was the first President of Bay St. George South Area Development Association and was largely responsible for getting this Association started. He was instrumental in having the first Medical Clinic started in the Jeffreys area.

He was Chairman of the Newfoundland Egg Marketing Board from 1971 until 1978 and served as a representative to the National Committee that eventually set up the Canadian Egg Marketing Agency. Mr. Wells continued to be active in the Newfoundland Egg Marketing Board throughout the 1980's and served as Chairman from 1988 until retirement on December 31, 1990 after twenty one years service.

He served as First President of the Wesco Dairy & Poultry Producers Co-op. established in 1972 and remained President of this progressive cooperative until 1983. He was President of the Producers’ Cooperative that set up a feed mill in Stephenville called Western Farm Feeds which later sold to Canada Packers. He is a former Vice-president of the Federation of Agriculture and presently a member of the Newfoundland Farm Debt Review Board.

Nominated by the Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Agriculture, Fred Wells deserves recognition in the Atlantic Agricultural Hall of Fame.