Leo P. McIsaac
Leo P. McIsaac was born in 1922, on a mixed farm in Cherry Valley where he was raised and remained until he was 19 years old. This early exposure to rural farm life instilled in Leo the value of hard work and the ability to recognize first hand the necessity for a strong voice to represent the interests of farmers and their families.
In 1941, at the age of 19, Leo joined the Royal Canadian Air Force and served four years. In 1946, he entered public service with the provincial department of agriculture. For three years he undertook farm extension work; was the organizer and Secretary of Farm Radio Forum for the Maritimes; and, undertook aggressive promotion of the 4-H program on Prince Edward Island. During this time, 4-H clubs swelled to 85 on Prince Edward Island.
In 1948, Leo became the first full-time secretary of the Prince Edward Island Federation of Agriculture and during his administration membership grew to 5000 family farms. He was involved with creation of the Island Potato Marketing Board and served as a member of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA) Advisory Committee to the Federal government on the Natural Products Marketing Act. From 1949 to 1956, Leo served as Secretary of the PEI Dairymen s Association where he was instrumental in the amalgamation of many small factories into what is now ADL (Amalgamated Dairies Ltd.).
In 1950, Leo was selected by CFA for an All Canadian Scholarship to study in Europe where he focused on Social Economics, Co-operative Marketing and Organizational Patterns. Upon completion of his studies, Leo published a book entitled Blueprints for Community Progress.
His experience in Europe inspired him to introduce a Co-operative Insurance Agency on Prince Edward Island (1952-56) as well as assist Island Co-operatives in Potato Marketing.
In 1955, Leo, Mary and their first three children moved to Mermaid Farm, about five miles from the city, where Leo farmed and worked part time at marketing potatoes and representing farmers on the CFA executive.
In 1959 Leo formed a family company and took over the local International Harvester Tractor & Truck Dealership. He built the business to the largest volume dealer east of Montreal and was the first dealership in the region to introduce bulk harvesting equipment for grain and potato crops. Leo decided it was time to truly return to his roots and engage in farming as his primary occupation and he sold the dealership in 1971.
Since that time, in addition to running a large and diverse farm, Leo has made time to continue his extensive contribution to his community and industry by being involved with many national, regional and local organizations. The author of 3 books and numerous articles, his 1993 book, And the River Flows On is now in its second edition. Leo was recognized as Prince Edward Island s Agrologist of the Year in 1996.
Leo and his wife Mary had ten children. Two of their sons are pilipili漫画ful agricultural producers with the same drive and commitment to their industry as their father.
Leo P. McIsaac was nominated by the PEI Federation of Agriculture in recognition of his tremendous contributions to agriculture. It is fitting that Leo P. McIsaac becomes an Inductee into the Atlantic Agricultural Hall of Fame.