Wallace G. Wood
Prince Edward Island
Wallace (Wally) Wood was born August, 1934 and was raised on the family
farm in Marshfield, PEI. He attended the local school followed by three
years at Prince of Wales College, Charlottetown.
In 1952, while a 4-H member, Wally was awarded a trip to the Royal Agriculture
Winter Fair, Toronto, where he won the National Dairy Judging Competition.
Joining his father on the family farm, he specialized in breeding, showing
and marketing purebred Ayrshire Cattle, under the name, East River Farms.
During the 1970`s and 1980`s with Wally`s brother David as partner, East
River Farms was awarded numerous championships, and breeder awards provincially,
regionally and Nationally. An East River Ayrshire Cow became the first
to achieve the distinction of Grand Champion or Reserve at both the Royal
Winter Fair and the National Dairy Show at Madison, Wisconsin, for five
consecutive years. Well known for his judging ability, Wally had the opportunity
to judge many major Fairs across Canada, including the Royal Winter Fair
in 1985. Over time emphasis changed from Ayrshires to Holsteins which
continues today with the involvement of Wally`s son Bruce.
Recognized as a leader in the Prince Edward Island Agricultural Community,
in 1968, Wally chaired the Founding Committee, and became the first chair
of the PEI Soil and Crop Improvement Association. In 1972-73 he assumed
the Presidency of the PEI Federation of Agriculture and during this term
became a leading advocate for the building of the Farm Centre, overseeing
this project to completion.
He was chair of the co-ordinating committee that founded the PEI Dairy
Producers Association, a forerunner to Milk Marketing Board. He was a
leading advocate and charter member of the School Milk Program and served
as chair of the PEI Provincial Exhibition and the PEI Marketing Council.
Wally`s keen interest in animal genetics led to a new challenge in the
1970`s, that of breeding Standardbred Horses. An adjoining farm was purchased
and became known as Woodmere Standardbreds. Retiring from the dairy operation
in 1990, he has since devoted his time to Standardbred Breeding and continues
to make a significant impact on the Racing Industry in the Maritimes.
He was a charter Member of the Maritime Provinces Harness Racing Commission,
the first President of the PEI Harness Racing Industry Association and
a Breeder Director of Standardbred Canada.
An active community member, Wally was a local school trustee, elected
to the first Regional School Board, a charter member of the Marshfield
Pioneer Cemetery Committee who authored, produced and published the first
comprehensive history of the community, Marshfield and Area - A Grand
Legacy. He is a long time member of the United Church of Canada where
he is a choir member and formerly served as Elder and Steward.
Wally and his wife, Doris, were married in 1956 and raised six children.
They continue to enjoy living and working on the farm where they also
operate Woodmere Bed and Breakfast and welcome guests from all parts of
the world.
Nominated by the PEI Federation of Agriculture for his contribution to
the Agricultural Industry through the breeding of quality livestock and
for organizational commitment at the Provincial, Regional and National
level, Wallace George Wood is a worthy candidate for induction into the
Atlantic Agricultural Hall of Fame
