The Canadian Agricultural Hall of Fame honours men and women who have made outstanding contributions to Canada’s agriculture and food industries. Located in Toronto, the Hall of Fame was established in 1960 and is open annually during the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair. Thanks to our donors, the Canada Agriculture and Food Museum will recognize selected Hall of Fame members each year. This year's theme is art in agriculture, and the artists who produced art that supports agricultural endeavours — including education and promotion.
Art in Agriculture
Artists have not just depicted agriculture in their work — they have also contributed to agriculture itself. Painters and photographers have played an important role in livestock breeding over the past two centuries, helping to shape the industry in Europe and North America. Paintings once popularized animal breeding and influenced breed standards. Today, photography has become an essential tool in marketing prize animals around the world.
The Problem Solvers
Ross Butler
Ross Butler (1907–1995) influenced breed development in Canada with his theory of animal proportions. In the 1930s, the Ontario government commissioned him to paint the “perfect” male and female for each of the major cow and horse breeds. These “True Type” paintings were widely distributed as prints to public schools. Butler also bred Jersey cows and launched the first artificial insemination business in Canada.
Photographers Walter Browarny (1935–2011) and Patty Jones furthered the breeding industry, as photography replaced painting and the artificial insemination industry grew.
Walter Browarny
Browarny, based in Alberta, was an official photographer at important livestock events, including the Calgary Exhibition and Stampede.
Patty Jones
Patty Jones specializes in dairy-cow photography that promotes the role of genetics and artificial insemination. She has served as the dairy photographer at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair and also breeds Holstein and Jersey cattle.