Whether they’re scrambled, boiled, fried or whipped into an omelette, eggs are a favourite staple of the Canadian diet. Over 1,000 egg farmers contribute $1.4 billion to Canada’s GDP every year, but how often does the average Canadian think about what goes into producing an egg?
Originally heralding from Scotland, the McIntosh family are one of many farming families who have been producing this hearty food for three generations in Ontario.
Well known in their community and in the poultry industry, their family has worked in agriculture five minutes outside of Egmundville since 1933. Jim McIntosh’s father purchased land in what was then the Township of Tuckersmith. Growing up on a mixed farm with pigs, sheep, cattle and chickens, Jim started driving a tractor at age six. After years of helping on the farm, Jim decided he wanted to take it over one day. For a young and ambitious rural man, who wanted to pursue higher education in agriculture, the best choice was the Ontario Agricultural College (OAC); one of the founding colleges of the University of Guelph.
Attending school through the week, Jim continued to work on the farm every weekend. Graduating in 1959 with an undergraduate degree from OAC, Jim decided to pursue a Master’s in Poultry Nutrition, earning his graduate degree in 1961. That same year he married his faculty advisor’s secretary, Brenda, moved into their new home, and embarked on a long and successful career in farming. Brenda grew up in the City of Guelph and was choosing a new rural life. She sold her car and together they used the money to buy appliances for the new house.
In the mid-60s, the McIntosh family farm was almost entirely dedicated to raising chickens, using an old bank barn with three floors of hens in loose litter. In the 70s and 80s, they invested in cages, increased the farmland from 100 acres to 1700 acres, and added buildings to house a growing number of hens. Last year, their son Ross took over the business and the farm is still thriving today.
From 1961 to 1977 Jim was clerk-treasurer and tax-collector for the Township of Tuckersmith and Brenda was deputy clerk. Throughout the years, Jim remained committed to the community and agriculture industry as an Ontario Federation of Agriculture director, a councillor to the local area for the egg industry, and an elected director for 12 years with the Ontario Egg Producers Marketing Board (now Egg Farmers of Ontario).
No stranger to volunteer work, Brenda has a similar commitment to the community, working with the Farm Debt Review Board and the Farm Credit Canada Advisory Board. She was also president of the Huron County Federation of Agriculture, a role her daughter has now taken on. Even in retirement, both Brenda and Jim are board members of the VanEgmund Foundation, which operates and maintains a historic house in Egmundville. Jim believes “if someone doesn’t get involved in their industry and community, they are missing a big part of the learning curve.”
Brenda and Jim recognize how fortunate they are and believe in giving back to help the next generation take root. While both of their children, Ross and Carol are egg farmers, the family tradition doesn’t end there. There is a University of Guelph tradition as well. Carol received her Master’s in Rural Planning from the University of Guelph and Ross graduated from Ridgetown College.
At this stage of life the McIntosh family realizes the future of agriculture depends on research and higher education in modern farming practices. This is why they decided to make a $1 million gift to the University of Guelph to support a professorship in poultry nutrition.
Feed represents 60-65 per cent of the cost of poultry production and is key to the economic viability of the production of eggs. The nutritional value of feed must also take a high priority for both a human and animal health perspective. Ontario egg farming not only supports the McIntosh children and five grandchildren, it provides a livelihood for 250 farms and supports 6,247 jobs.
“With growing competition from the US we need to protect the egg industry: the farmers, truckers, and feed, corn and soy producers. They would all be impacted if we lose market share to US and global competitors,” shares Jim.
As a student of poultry nutrition science and an egg farmer, Jim knows firsthand the importance of this field and wants the University of Guelph to hire a leader for the industry. The incumbent will be both a researcher and communicator that will find ways to make feed more efficient for the farmer and in turn the consumer.
Brenda and Jim are now enjoying retirement in their new bungalow in Egmundville. They visit Texas every year in their RV to avoid the cold winters and to enjoy time with like-minded friends.
After 54 years of farming, Brenda is grateful “they are in a position to be able to donate to a school that has helped so many in my family.” She worked in the poultry nutrition department, her father worked at Ontario Veterinary College, her husband, sister, brother-in-law and children all received an education from the University of Guelph.
Inspired by a friend to make this significant gift, Jim is confident by supporting higher education at OAC. “I can protect the poultry industry, bolster the research we need and give back to a way of life so many Ontario farmers are fortunate to have.”
