OAC Alumna Leslie Huffman Balsillie Inducted into Essex County Agricultural Hall of Fame

Leslie Huffman Balsillie, a proud alumna of the Ontario Agricultural College (OAC), has been inducted into the Essex County Agricultural Hall of Fame, becoming the third generation of her family to receive this prestigious honour—a rare achievement that speaks to a deep-rooted legacy in agricultural excellence.

The 31st annual induction ceremony was held last month, where Huffman Balsillie joined fellow inductees Murray McLeod and Robert Repko. Her nomination highlighted a career marked by passion, innovation, and service to Ontario’s fruit industry and agricultural community.

Raised on her family’s farm in Harrow, Huffman Balsillie graduated from Harrow High School before earning her degree from OAC in 1978. She began her career as a lecturer at Ridgetown College before joining the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA), where she spent 35 years specializing in horticulture, weed science, and apple production.

In 1984, she and her husband Doug established “The Fruit Wagon,” a thriving family farm in Harrow. Together with their daughters Janelle and Megan, they expanded their operation in 2023 by launching the Carolinia Cider Company.

Throughout her career, Huffman Balsillie has championed knowledge-sharing and grower support. She authored the widely used resource Planting New Apple Orchards in Ontario, led the Southwestern Ontario Grape Roundtable, and hosted educational series for fruit growers. Her work earned her the 2014 “Golden Apple Award,” the International Fruit Tree Association’s Outstanding Extension Award in 2023, and recognition as a finalist for OMAFRA’s Bravo Award for Innovation and Service in 2005.

Huffman Balsillie’s induction not only celebrates her remarkable career but also reinforces the lasting impact of OAC graduates in shaping Ontario’s agricultural landscape. Her recognition as the third Huffman family member in the Hall of Fame stands as a powerful testament to the enduring contributions of one family across generations.