Wallace G. Wood
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.